presented to
Gbe library
of tbc
University of Toronto
bfi
Bertram m. Davis
from tbe boohs of
tbe late Xtonel Davis, 1k.<L
laarlg English Qramatista
THE DRAMATIC
WRITINGS OF
NICHOLAS UDALL
iSatlg
Btamatists
The
Dramatic Writings of
NICHOLAS UDALL
COMPRISING
Ralph Roister Doister A Note on Udatfs Lost Plays
Note- Book and Word-List
EDITED BY
JOHN S. FARMER
Hcnfccn
Privately Printed for Subscribers by the
EARLY ENGLISH DRAMA SOCIETY, 18 BURY STREET
BLOOMSBURY, W.C.
MCMVI
CONTENTS
31-7%
I'AGK
RALPH ROISTER DOISTER
UD ALL'S LOST PLAYS
NOTE-BOOK AND WORD-LIST ....
UDALL
JDramatiS |3trionae:
RALPH ROISTER DOISTER
MATTHEW MERRYGREEK, HIS FRIEND
GAWIN GOODLUCK, A LONDON MERCHANT,
BETROTHED TO CUSTANCE
TRISTRAM TRUSTY, A FRIEND OF GAWIN
GOODLUCK
DOBINET DOUGHTY
V SERVANTS OF RALPH
HARPAX
TOM TRUEPENNY, SERVANT OF CUSTANCE
SIM SURESBY, SERVANT OF GAWIN GOODLUCK
A SCRIVENER
DAME CHRISTIAN CUSTANCE, A WEALTHY
WlDOW, BETROTHED TO GAWIN GOODLUCK
MADGE MUMBLECRUST, AN OLD NURSE OF
DAME CUSTANCE
TIBET TALKAPACE MAIDS OF DAME
ANNOT ALYFACE 3 CUSTANCE
TIME : About two days (i. i. p. 36^)
SCENE : Probably London (ii., 4)
RALPH ROISTER DOISTER.
THE PROLOGUE.
What creature is in health, either young or old,
But some mirth with modesty will be glad to
use,
As we in this interlude shall now unfold?
Wherein all scurrility we utterly refuse ;
Avoiding such mirth wherein is abuse :
Knowing nothing more commendable for a
man's recreation,
Than mirth which is used in an honest fashion.
For mirth prolongeth life, and causeth health ;
Mirth recreates our spirits, and voideth pen-
siveness ;
Mirth increaseth amity, not hindering cur
wealth ;
Mirth is to be used both of more and less,
Being mixed with virtue in decent comeliness,
As we trust no good nature can gainsay the
same :
Which mirth we intend to use, avoiding all
blame.
The wise poets long time heretofore,
Under merry comedies secrets did declare,
Wherein was contained very virtuous lore,
With mysteries and forewarnings very rare.
B 2
4 Ralph Roister Doister, Act I., Sc. i.
Such to write neither Plautus nor Terence did
spare,
Which among the learned at this day bears
the bell :
These with such other therein did excel.
Our comedy or interlude, which we intend to
play,
Is named Roister Doister indeed.
Which against the vain-glorious doth inveigh,
Whose humour the roisting sort continually
doth feed.
Thus, by your patience, we intend to proceed
In this our interlude by God's leave and
grace
And here I take my leave for a certain space.
FINIS.
ACTUS I., SC^ENA i.
MATTHEW MERRYGREEK.
[He entereth singing.
As long liveth the merry man (they say),
- As doth the sorry man, and longer for a day.
Yet the grasshopper, for all his summer piping,
Starveth in winter with hungry griping :
Therefore another said saw doth men advise,
r^That they be together both merry and wise.
This lesson must I practise, or else ere long,
With me, Matthew Merrygreek, it will be
wrong.
Indeed men so call me; for, by Him that us
bought,
Ralph Roister Doister, Act I., Sc. i. 5
Whatever chance betide, I can take no
thought.
Yet wisdom would that I did myself bethink
Where to be provided, this day, of meat and
drink :
For know ye that, for all this merry note of
mine,
He might appose me now that should ask
where I dine.
My living lieth here and there, of God's grace,
Sometime with this good man, sometime in
that place;
Sometime Lewis Loiterer biddeth me come
near;
Somewhiles Watkin Waster maketh us good
cheer ;
Sometime Davy Diceplayer, when he hath well
cast,
Keepeth revel-rout, as long as it will last;
Sometime Tom Titivile keepeth us a feast;
Sometime with Sir Hugh Pie I am a bidden
guest ;
Sometime at Nichol Neverthrive's I get a sop;
Sometime I am feasted with Bryan Blinkinsop ;
Sometime I hang on Hankyn Hoddydoddy's
sleeve ;
But this day on Ralph Roister Bolster's, by
his leave.
For truly of all men he is my chief banker,
Both for meat and money, and my chief shoot-
anchor.
For, sooth Roister Doister in that he doth say,
And require what ye will, ye shall have no nay.
But now of Roister Doister somewhat to ex-
press,
That ye may esteem him after his worthiness,
6 Ralph Roister Doister, Act I., Sc. i.
In these twenty towns, and seek them through-
out,
Is not the like stock whereon to graff a lout.
All the day long is he facing and craking
Of his great acts in fighting and fray-making :
But when Roister Doister is put to his proof,
To keep the Queen's peace is more for his
behoof.
If any woman smile, or cast on him an eye,
Up is he to the hard ears in love by and by :
And in all the hot haste must she be his wife,
Else farewell his good days, and farewell his
life!
Master Ralph Roister Doister is but dead and
gone,
Except she on him take some compassion.
Then chief of counsel must be Matthew Merry-
greek !
What if I for marriage to such an one seek?
Then must I sooth it, whatever it is ;
For what he saith or doth cannot be amiss.
Hold up his yea and nay, be his nown white
son,
Praise and rouse him well, and ye have his
heart won ;
For so well liketh he his own fond fashions
That he taketh pride of false commendations.
But such sport have I with him, as I would not
lese,
Though I should be bound to live with bread
and cheese.
For exalt him, and have him as ye lust indeed ;
Yea, to hold his finger in a hole for a need.
I can with a word make him fain or loth ;
I can with as much make him pleased or
wroth ;
Ralph Roister Doister, Act I., Sc. 2. 7
I can, yvhen I will, make him merry and glad ;
I can, when me lust, make him sorry and sad ;
I can set him in hope, and eke in despair;
I can make him speak rough, and make him
speak fair.
But I marvel I see him not all this same day :
I will seek him out. But lo ! he cometh this
way
I have yond espied him, sadly coming,
And in love, for twenty pound, by his gloming !
ACTUS I., SC/ENA 2.
RALPH ROISTER DOISTER. MATTHEW
MERRYGREEK.
Roister. Come death, when thou wilt ; I am
weary of my life.
Merry greek. I told you, I, we should woo
another wife. [Aside.
Roister. Why did God make me such a
goodly person?
Merry greek. He is in by the week ; we shall
have sport anon. [Aside.
Roister. And where is my trusty friend,
Matthew Merrygreek?
Merry greek. I will make as I saw him not ;
he doth me seek. [A side.
Roister. I have him espied, me-thinketh ;
yond is he ;
Ho ! Matthew Merrygreek, my friend, a word
with thee.
8 Ralph Roister Doister, Act I., Sc. 2.
Merrygreek. 1 will not hear him, but make
as I had haste. [Aside.
Farewell, all my good friends, the time away
doth waste;
And the tide, they say, tarrieth for no man.
Roister. Thou must with thy good counsel
help me, if thou can.
Merrygreek. God keep thee, worshipful
Master Roister Doister,
And farewell, thee, lusty Master Roister
Doister !
Roister. I must needs speak with thee a
word or twain.
Merrygreek. Within a month or two I will
be here again [all.
Negligence in great affairs, ye know, may mar
Roister. Attend upon me now, and well re-
ward thee I shall.
Merrygreek. I have take my leave, and the
tide is well spent.
Roister. I die except thou help ; I pray thee
be content.
Do thy part well now, and ask what thou wilt ;
For without thy aid my matter is all spilt.
Merrygreek. Then to serve your turn I will
some pains take,
And let all mine own affairs alone for your
sake.
Roister. My whole hope and trust resteth
only in thee.
Merrygreek. Then can ye not do amiss,
whatever it be.
Roister. Gramercies, Merrygreek ! most
bound to thee I am.
Merrygreek. But up with that heart, and
speak out like a ram ;
Ralph Roister Doister, Act I., Sc. 2. 9
Ye speak like a capon that had the cough
now :
Be of good cheer; anon ye shall do well enou'.
Roister. Upon thy comfort, I will all
things well handle.
Merry greek. So, lo ! that is a breast to blow
out a candle.
But what is this great matter, I would fain
know?
We shall find remedy therefore, I trow.
Do ye lack money? ye know mine old offers :
Ye have always a key to my purse and coffers.
Roister. I thank thee : had ever man such
a friend?
Merry greek. Ye give unto me : I must
needs to you lend.
Roister. Nay, I have money plenty all
things to discharge.
Merry greek (aside). That knew I right well
when I made offer so large.
Roister. But it is no such matter.
Merry greek. What is it, then?
Are ye in danger of debt to any man?
If ye be, take no thought, nor be not afraid ;
Let them hardly take thought how they shall
be paid.
Roister. Tut ! I owe nought.
Merry greek. What then? fear ye imprison-
ment?
Roister. No.
Merry greek. No ; I wist ye offend not so, to
be shent ;
But, if ye had, the Tower could not you so
hold,
But to break out at all times ye would be
bold.
io Ralph Roister Doister, Act I., Sc. 2.
What is it? hath any man threatened you to
beat?
Roister. What is he that durst have put me
in that heat?
He that beateth me, by His arms, shall well
find
That I will not be far from him, nor run be-
hind.
Merrygreek. That thing know all men,
ever since ye overthrew
The fellow of the lion which Hercules slew.
But what is it then?
Roister. Of love I make my moan.
Merrygreek. Ah, this foolish a love ! wil't
ne'er let us alone?
But, because ye were refused the last day,
Ye said ye would ne'er more be entangled that
way :
I would meddle no more, since I find all so un-
kind.
Roister. Yea, but I cannot so put love out
of my mind.
Merrygreek. But is your love, tell me first,
in any wise
In the way of marriage, or of merchandise?
If it may otherwise than lawful be found,
Ye get none of my help for an hundred pound.
Roister. No, by my troth, I would have her
to my wife.
Merrygreek. Then are ye a good man, and
God save your life !
And what or who is she, with whom ye are in
love?
Roister. A woman whom I know not by
what means to move.
Merrygreek. Who is it?
Ralph Roister Doister, Act I, Sc. 2. 11
Roister. A woman yond.
Merry greek. What is her name?
Roister. Her yonder.
Merry greek. Whom?
Roister. Mistress ah
Merrygreek. Fy, fy for shame !
Love ye, and know not whom? but her yond!
a woman!
We shall then get you a wife, I cannot tell
when.
Roister. The fair woman that supped with
us yesternight
And I heard her name twice or thrice, and had
it right.
Merrygreek. Yea, ye may see ye ne'er take
me to good cheer with you :
If ye had, I could have told you her name
now.
Roister. I was to blame indeed, but the
next time perchance
And she dwelleth in this house
Merrygreek. What, Christian Custance?
Roister. Except I have her to my wife, I
shall run mad.
Merrygreek. Nay, unwise perhaps; but I
warrant you for mad.
Roister. I am utterly dead unless I have my
desire.
Merrygreek. Where be the bellows that
blew this sudden fire?
Roister. I hear she is worth a thousand
pound and more.
Merrygreek. Yea, but learn this one lesson
of me afore :
An hundred pound of marriage money, doubt-
less,
12 Ralph Roister Doister, Act I., Sc. 2.
Is ever thirty pound sterling, or somewhat less ;
So that her thousand pound, if she be thrifty,
Is much near about two hundred and fifty
Howbeit, wooers and widows are never poor.
Roister. Is she a widow? I love her better
therefore.
Merrygreek. But I hear she hath made
promise to another.
Roister. He shall go without her, and he
were my brother.
Merrygreek. I have heard say, I am right
well advised,
That she hath to Gawin Goodluck promised.
Roister. What is that Gawin Goodluck?
_ Merrygreek. A merchantman.
Roister. Shall he speed afore me? Nay,
sir, by sweet Saint Anne !
Ah, sir ! Backare, quod Mortimer to his
sow :
I will have her mine own self, I make God a
vow;
For, I tell thee, she is worth a thousand pound.
Merrygreek. Yet a fitter wife for your
maship might be found ;
Such a goodly man as you might get one with
land,
Besides pounds of gold a thousand and a
thousand,
And a thousand, and a thousand, and a
thousand,
And so to the sum of twenty hundred
thousand
Your most goodly personage is worthy of no
less.
Roister. I am sorry God made me so
comely, doubtless ;
Ralph Roister Doister, Act I., Sc. 2* 13
For that maketh me each where so highly
favoured,
And all women on me so enamoured.
Merry greek. Enamoured, quod you? have
ye spied out that?
Ah, sir, marry ! now I see you know what is
what.
Enamoured, ka? marry, sir! say that again;
But I thought not ye had marked it so plain.
Roister. Yes, each where they gaze all
upon me, and stare.
Merrygreek. Yea, malkin ! I warrant you,
as much as they dare.
And ye will not believe what they say in the
street,
When your maship passeth by, all such as I
meet,
That sometimes I can scarce find what answer
to make.
Who is this? (saith one) Sir Launcelot du
Lake?
Who is this? Great Guy of Warwick? saith
another.
No (say I), it is the thirteenth Hercules
brother.
Who is this? noble Hector of Troy? saith the
third :
No, but of the same nest (say I) it is a bird.
Who is this? great Goliah, Sampson, or Col-
brand ?
No (say I), but it is a brute of the Alie land.
Who is this? great Alexander? or Charle-
magne?
No, it is the tenth worthy, say I to them again :
I know not if I said well
Roister. Yes, for so I am.
14 Ralph Roister Doister, Act I., Sc. 2.
Merrygreek. Yea, for there were but nine
worthies, before ye came.
To some others, the third Cato I do you call ;
And so, as well as I can, I answer them all.
Sir, I pray you, what lord or great gentleman
is this?
Master Ralph Roister Doister, dame (say I),
i-wis.
O Lord (saith she then), what a goodly man it
is!
Would Christ I had such a husband as he is !
O Lord (say some), that the sight of his face
we lack !
It is enough for you (say I) to see his back;
His face is for ladies of high and noble
pa rages,
With whom he hardly 'scapeth great
marriages
With much more than this and much other-
wise.
Roister. I can thee thank, that thou canst
such answers devise :
But I perceive thou dost me thoroughly know.
Merrygreek. I mark your manners for mine
own learning, I trow ;
But such is your beauty, and such are your
acts,
Such is your personage, and such are your
facts,
That all women, fair and foul, more and less,
They eye you, they lub you, they talk of you,
doubtless ;
Your pleasant look maketh them all merry :
Ye pass not by, but they laugh, till they be
weary ;
Yea, and money could I have, the truth to tell,
Ralph Roister Doister, Act I., Sc. 2. 15
Of many, to bring- you that way where they
dwell.
Roister. Merrygreek, for this thy reporting
well of me
Merrygreek. What should I else, sir? it is
my duty, parde.
Roister. I promise thou shalt not lack,
while I have a groat.
Merrygreek. Faith, sir ! and I ne'er had
more need of a new coat.
Roister. Thou shalt have one to-morrow,
and gold for to spend.
Merrygreek. Then I trust to bring the day
to a good end.
For as for mine own part, having money enou',
I could live only with the remembrance of
you
But now to your widow, whom you love so
hot.
Roister. By Cock ! thou sayest truth, I had
almost forgot.
Merrygreek. What if Christian Custance
will not have you, what?
Roister. Have me? yes, I warrant you,
never doubt of that
I know she loveth me, but she dare not speak.
Merrygreek. Indeed ! meet it were some-
body should it break.
Roister. She looked on me twenty times
yesternight,
And laughed so
Merrygreek. That she could not sit upright?
Roister. No, faith ! could she not.
Merrygreek. No, even such a thing I cast.
Roister. But for wooing, thou knowest,
women are shamefast.
1 6 Ralph Roister Doister, Act I., Sc. 2.
But, and she knew my mind, I know she would
be glad,
And think it the best chance that ever she
had.
Merrygreek. To her, then ! like a man, and
be bold forth to start :
Wooers never speed well that have a false
heart.
Roister. What may I best do?
Merrygreek. Sir, remain ye awhile [here];
Ere long one or other of her house will
appear
Ye know my mind?
Roister. Yea, now hardily let me alone.
Merrygreek. In the meantime, sir, if you
please, I will home,
And call your musicians ; for in this your case
It would set you forth, and all your wooing
grace,
Ye may not lack your instruments to play and
sing.
Roister. Thou knowest I can do that
Merrygreek. As well as anything.
Shall I go call your folks, that we may show a
cast?
Roister. Yea, run, I beseech thee, in all
possible haste.
Merrygreek. I go. [Exeat.
Roister. Yea, for I love singing out of
measure,
It comforteth my spirits, and doth me great
pleasure.
But who cometh forth yond from my sweet-
heart Custance?
My matter frameth well ; this is a lucky chance.
Ralph Roister Doister, Act I., Sc. 3. 17
ACTUS I., SC/ENA 3.
MADGE MUMBLECRUST spinning on the distaff.
TIBET TALKAPACE sewing. ANNOT ALY-
FACE knitting. R. ROISTER [behind].
Mumblecrust. If this distaff were spun,
Margery Mumblecrust
Talkapace (interrupting Madge). Where
good stale ale is, will drink no water, I
trust.
Mumblecrust. Dame Custance hath pro-
mised us good ale and white bread.
Talkapace. If she keep not promise, I will
beshrew her head :
But it will be stark night, before I shall have
done.
Roister (aside). I will stand here awhile,
and talk with them anon ;
I hear them speak of Custance, which doth my
heart good ;
To hear her name spoken doth even comfort my
blood.
Mumblecrust. Sit down to your work, Tibet,
like a good girl.
Talkapace. Nurse, meddle you with your
spindle and your whirl.
No haste but good, Madge Mumblecrust; for
whip and whur,
The old proverb doth say, never made good fur.
Mumblecrust. Well, ye will sit down to
your work anon, I trust.
UDALL c
:8 Ralph Roister Doister, Act I., Sc. 3.
Talkapace. Soft fire maketh sweet malt,
good Madge Mumblecrust.
Mumblecrust. And sweet malt maketh jolly
good ale for the nonce.
Talkapace. Which will slide down the lane
without any bones. [Cantet.
Old brown-bread crusts must have much good
mumbling ;
But good ale down your throat hath good easy
tumbling.
Roister (aside). The jolliest wench that ere
I heard ! Little mouse !
May I not rejoice that she shall dwell in my
house?
Talkapace. So, sirrah ! now this gear be-
ginneth for to frame.
Mumblecrust. Thanks to God, though your
work stand still, your tongue is not lame.
Talkapace. And though your teeth be gone,
both so sharp and so fine,
Yet your tongue can renne on pattens as well
as mine.
Mumblecrust. Ye were not for nought
named Tib Talkapace.
Talkapace. Doth my talk grieve you?
Alack, God save your grace !
Mumblecrust. I hold a groat ye will drink
anon for this gear.
Talkapace. And I will pray you the stripes
for me to bear.
Mumblecrust. I hold a penny ye will drink
without a cup.
Talkapace. Whereinsoe'er ye drink, I wot
ye drink all up.
CAlyface (entering). By Cock ! and well
sewed, my good Tibet Talkapace.
Ralph Roister Doister, Act I., Sc. 3. 19
Talkapace. And e'en as well knit, my nown
Annot Alyface.
Roister (aside). See what a sort she
keepeth, that must be my wife !
Shall not I, when I have her, lead a merry life?
Talkapace. Welcome ! my good wench, and
sit here by me just.
Alyface. And how doth our old beldame
here, Madge Mumblecrust ?
Talkapace. Chide and find faults, and
threaten to complain.
Alyface. To make us poor girls shent to her
is small gain.
Mumblecrust. I did neither chide, nor com-
plain, nor threaten.
Roister (aside). It would grieve my heart to
see one of them beaten.
Mumblecrust. I did nothing but bid her
work, and hold her peace.
Talkapace. So would I, if you could your
clattering cease ;
But the devil cannot make old trot hold her
tongue.
Alyface. Let all these matters pass, and we
three sing a song ;
So shall we pleasantly both the time beguile
now,
And eke despatch all our works, ere we can tell
how.
Talkapace. I shrew them that say nay, and
that shall not be I.
Mumblecrust. And I am well content.
Talkapace. Sing on then by and by.
Roister (aside). And I will not away, but
listen to their song
Yet Merrygreek and my folks tarry very long.
c 2
20 Ralph Roister Doister, Act I., Sc. 3.
Tib., An., and Margery do sing here.
Pipe, merry Annot, &c.
Trilla, Trilla, Trillary.
Work, Tibet; work, Annot; work, Margery;
Sew, Tibet; knit, Annot; spin, Margery.
Let us see who will win the victory.
Talkapace. This sleeve is not willing to be
sewed, I trow.
A small thing might make me all in the ground
to throw.
Then they sing again.
Pipe, merry Annot, &*c.
Trilla, Trilla, Trillary.
What, Tibet! what, Annot I what, Margery!
Ye sleep, but we do not, that shall we try,
Your fingers be numbed, our work will not lie.
Talkapace. If ye do so again well, I
would advise you nay :
In good sooth, one stop more, and I make
holy-day !
They sing the third time.
Pipe, merry Annot, &"c.
Trilla, Trilla, Trillary.
Now, Tibet; now, Annot; now, Margery;
Now whippet apace for the maistry :
But it will not be, our mouth is so dry.
Talkapace. Ah, each finger is a thumb
to-day, me-think :
Ralph Roister Doister, Act I., Sc. 3. 21
I care not to let all alone, choose it swim or
sink.
They sing the fourth time.
Pipe, merry Annot, &c.
Trilla, Trilla, Trillary.
When, Tibet? when, Annot? when, Margery?
I will not, / can not, no more can I.
Then give we all over, and there let it lie !
[Let her cast down her work.
Talkapace. There it lieth ! the worst is but
a curried coat.
Tut ! I am used thereto : I care not a groat.
Alyface. Have we done singing- since?
then will I in again :
Here I found you, and here I leave both twain.
[Exeat.
Mumblecrust. And I will not be long after
Tib Talkapace !
[She discovers R. Roister Doister.
Talkapace. What is the matter?
Mumblecrust (looking at R.). Yond stood
a man all this space,
And hath heard all that ever we spake together.
Talkapace. Marry ! the more lout he for his
coming hither ;
And the less good he can to listen maidens talk.
I care not, and I go bid him hence for to
walk
It were well done to know what he maketh
here-away.
Roister. Now might I speak to them, if I
wist what to say. [Aside.
22 Ralph Roister Doister, Act I., Sc. 3.
Mutnblecrust. Nay, we will go both off, and
see what he is.
Roister (coming forward). One that heard
all your talk and singing, i-wis.
Talkapace. The more to blame you ; a good
thrifty husband
Would elsewhere have had some better matters
in hand.
Roister. I did it for no harm ; but for good
love I bear
To your dame, Mistress Custance, I did your
talk hear.
And, mistress nurse ! I will kiss you for ac-
quaintance.
Mumblecrust. I come anon, sir.
Talkapace. Faith ! I would our dame Cust-
ance
Saw this gear.
Mumblecrust. I must first wipe all clean
yea, I must !
Talkapace. Ill 'chieve it, doting fool, but it
must be cust.
[Roister kisses Mumblecrust.
Mumblecrust. God 'ield you, sir; chad not
so much, i-chotte not when ;
Ne'er since chwas born, chwine, of such a gay
gentleman.
Roister. I will kiss you too, maiden, for the
good will I bear ye.
Talkapace. No, forsooth, by your leave, ye
shall not kiss me.
Roister. Yes, be not afeard ; I do not dis-
dain you a whit.
Talkapace. Why should I fear you? I have
not so little wit ;
Ralph Roister Doister, Act I., Sc. 3. 23
Ye are but a man, I know very well.
Roister. Why, then?
Talkapace. Forsooth, for I will not; I use
not to kiss men.
Roister. I would fain kiss you too, good
maiden, if I might.
Talkapace. What should that need?
Roister. But to honour you, by this light !
I use to kiss all them that I love, to God I
vow !
Talkapace. Yea, sir? I pray you, when
did ye last kiss your cow?
Roister. Ye might be proud to kiss me, if
ye were wise.
Talkapace. What promotion were therein ?
Roister. Nurse is not so nice.
Talkapace. Well, I have not been taught to
kissing and licking.
Roister. Yet, I thank you, mistress nurse,
ye made no sticking.
Mumblecrust. I will not stick for a koss
with such a man as you.
Talkapace. They that lust ! I will again to
my sewing now.
Alyface (re-entering). Tidings, ho ! tidings t
dame Custance greeteth you well.
Roister. Whom? me?
Alyface. You, sir? No, sir: I do no such
tale tell.
Roister. But, and she knew me here !
Alyface. Tibet Talkapace,
Your mistress Custance and mine must speak
with your grace.
Talkapace. With me?
Alyface. You must come in to her, out of
all doubts.
24 Ralph Roister Doister, Act I., Sc. 3.
Talkapace. And my work not half-done? a
mischief on all louts !
[Ex[eant] amb[ae].
Roister. Ah, good sweet nurse !
Mumblecrust. Ah, good sweet gentleman !
Roister. What?
Mumblecrust. Nay, I cannot tell, sir, but
what thing would you?
Roister. How doth sweet Custance, my
heart of gold, tell me, how?
Mumblecrust. She doth very well, sir, and
command[s] me to you.
Roister. To me?
Mumblecrust. Yea, to you, sir.
Roister. To me? nurse, tell me plain,
To me?
Mumblecrust. Yea.
Roister. That word maketh me alive again.
Mumblecrust. She commanded] me to one
last day, whoe'er it was.
Roister. That was e'en to me and none
other, by the mass !
Mumblecrust. I cannot tell you surely, but
one it was.
Roister. It was I and none other this
cometh to good pass.
I promise thee, nurse, I favour her.
Mumblecrust. E'en so, sir?
Roister. Bid her sue to me for marriage.
Mumblecrust. E'en so, sir?
Roister. And surely for thy sake she shall
speed.
Mumblecrust. E'en so, sir?
Roister. I shall be contented to take her.
Mumblecrust. E'en so, sir?
Ralph Roister Doister, Act I., Sc. 4. 25
Roister. But at thy request and for thy
sake.
Mumblecrust. E'en so, sir?
Roister. And, come, hark in thine ear what
to say.
Mumblecrust. E'en so, sir?
[Here let him tell her a great long tale in
her ear.
ACTUS I., SC^ENA IV.
MATTHEW MERRYGREEK. DOBINET DOUGHTY.
HARPAX [and Musicians entering]. RALPH
ROISTER. MARGERY MUMBLECRUST [still
on the scene, whispering],
Merrygreek. Come on, sirs, apace, and
'quit yourselves like men ;
Your pains shall be rewarded.
Doughty. But, I wot not when.
Merrygreek. Do your master worship, as
ye have done in time past.
Doughty. Speak to them of mine office he
shall have a cast.
Merrygreek. Harpax, look that thou do
well too, and thy fellow.
Harpax. I warrant, if he will mine example
follow.
Merrygreek. Curtsey, whoresons ! duck you
and crouch at every word !
Doughty. Yes, whether our master speak
earnest or bord.
26 Ralph Roister Doister, Act I., Sc. 4.
Merrygreek. For this lieth upon his prefer-
ment indeed.
Doughty. Oft is he a wooer, but never doth
he speed.
Merrygreek. But with whom is he now so
sadly rounding yond?
Doughty. With Nobs nicebectur miserere
fond.
Merrygreek [approaching Roister]. God be
at your wedding ! be ye sped already ?
I did not suppose that your love was so
greedy.
I perceive now ye have chose of devotion ;
And joy have ye, lady, of your promotion !
Roister. Tush, fool ! thou art deceived, this
is not she.
Merrygreek. Well, mock much of her, and
keep her well, I Vise ye.
I will take no charge of such a fair piece keep-
ing.
Mumblecrust. What aileth this fellow? he
driveth me to weeping.
Merrygreek. What, weep on the wedding-
day ? be merry, woman ;
Though I say it, ye have chose a good gentle-
man.
Roister. Kock's nowns ! what meanest
thou, man? tut, a whistle!
[Merrygreek.] Ah, sir ! be good to her; she
is but a gristle
Ah, sweet lamb and coney !
Roister. Tut ! thou art deceived.
Merrygreek. Weep no more, lady, ye shall
be well received.
Up with some merry noise, sirs, to bring home
the bride !
Ralph Roister Doister, Act I., Sc. 4. 27
Roister. Gog's arms, knave ! art thou mad?
I tell thee thou art wide.
Merrygreek. Then ye intend by night to
have her home brought?
Roister. I tell thee, no.
Merrygreek. How then?
Roister. 'Tis neither meant ne thought.
Merrygreek. What shall we then do with
her?
Roister. Ah, foolish harebrain !
This is not she.
Merrygreek. No, is? Why, then, unsaid
again
And what young girl is this with your maship
so bold?
Roister. A girl?
Merrygreek. Yea, I daresay, scarce yet
threescore year old.
Roister. This same is the fair widow's
nurse, of whom ye wot.
Merrygreek. Is she but a nurse of a house?
hence home, old trot !
Hence at once !
Roister. No, no.
Merrygreek. What, an' please your maship,
A nurse talk so homely with one of your
worship ?
Roister. I will have it so ; it is my pleasure
and will.
Merrygreek. Then I am content. Nurse,
come again, tarry still !
Roister. What ! she will help forward this
my suit, for her part !
Merrygreek. Then is't mine own pigsny,
and blessing on my heart !
Roister. This is our best friend, man !
28 Ralph Roister Doister, Act I., Sc. 4.
Merry greek. Then teach her what to say !
Mumblecrust. 1 am taught already.
Merrygreek. Then go, make no delay.
Roister. Yet hark, one word in thine ear !
Merrygreek [Doughty, &c., press on
Roister, who pushes them back]. Back,
sirs, from his tail !
Roister. Back, villains ! will ye be privy of
my counsel?
Merrygreek. Back, sirs ! So. I told you
afore ye would be shent.
Roister. She shall have the first day a whole
peck of argent.
Mumblecrust. A peck ! Nomine patris
[crossing herself]! have ye so much spare?
Roister. Yea, and a cart-load thereto, or
else were it bare;
Besides other moveables, household stuff and
land.
Mumblecrust. Have ye lands too?
Roister. An hundred marks.
Merrygreek. Yea, a thousand.
Mumblecrust. And have ye cattle too? and
sheep too?
Roister. Yea, a few.
Merrygreek. He is ashamed the number of
them to show.
E'en round about him as many thousand sheep
goes,
As he and thou, and I too, have fingers and toes.
Mumblecrust. And how many years old be
you?
Roister. Forty at lest.
Merrygreek. Yea, and thrice forty to them.
Roitter. Nay, thou dost jest.
I am not so old ; thou misreckoncst my years.
Ralph Roister Doister, Act I., Sc. 4. 29
Merry greek. I know that ; but my mind was
. _ on bullocks and steers.
Mumblecrust. And what shall I show her
your mastership's name is?
Roister. Nay, she shall make suit, ere she
know that, i-wis.
Mumblecrust. Yet let me somewhat know.
Merrygreek. This is he, understand,
That killed the blue spider in Blanchepowder
land.
Mumblecrust. Yea, Jesus ! William ! zee,
law ! did he zo? law !
Merrygreek. Yea, and the last elephant
that ever he saw,
As the beast passed by, he start out of a busk,
And e'en with pure strength of arms plucked
out his great tusk.
Mumblecrust. Jesus, Nomine patris [crossing
herself], what a thing was that !
Roister. Yea, but, Merrygreek, one thing
thou hast forgot.
Merrygreek. What?
Roister. Of th' other elephant.
Merrygreek. O, him that fled away?
Roister. Yea.
Merrygreek. Yea, he knew that his match
was in place that day.
Tut ! he bet the King of Crickets on Christmas-
day,
That he crept in a hole, and not a word to say.
Mumblecrust. A sore man, by zembletee.
Merrygreek. Why, he wrong a club
Once in a fray out of the hand of Belzebub.
Roister. And how when Mumfision
Merrygreek. O, your costreling
Bore the lantern a-field so before the gozeling
30 Ralph Roister Doister, Act I., Sc. 4.
Nay, that is too long a matter now to be told.
Never ask his name, nurse, I warrant thee, be
bold:
He conquered in one day from Rome to Naples,
And won towns, nurse, as fast as thou canst
make apples.
Mumblecrust. O Lord ! my heart quaketh
for fear, he is too fore t
Roister. Thou makest her too much afeard,
Merrygreek ; no more !
This tale would fear my sweetheart Custance
right evil.
Merrygreek. Nay, let her take him, nurse,
and fear not the devil.
But thus is our song dasht sirs ! ye may home
again. [To the music.
Roister. No, shall they not. I charge you
all here to remain :
The villain slaves ! a whole day, ere they can
be found !
Merrygreek. Couch on your marybones,
whoresons, down to the ground !
Was it meet he should tarry so long in one
place,
Without harmony of music or some solace?
Whoso hath such bees as your master in his
head
Had need to have his spirits with music to be
fed.
By your mastership's licence [picking some-
thing from his coaf]
Roister. What is that? a mote?
Merrygreek. No, it was a fool's feather had
light on your coat.
Roister. I was nigh no feathers, since I
came from my bed.
Ralph Roister Doister, Act I., Sc. 4. 31
Merry greek. No, sir ! it was a hair that was
fall from your head.
Roister. My men come when it please them.
Merry greek. By your leave [plucking]
Roister. What is that?
Merrygreek. Your gown was foul spotted
with the foot of a gnat.
Roister. Their master to offend they are
nothing afeard.
What now [again plucking]?
Merrygreek. A lousy hair from your master-
ship's beard.
Omnes famuli. And sir, for nurse's sake,
pardon this one offence.
We shall not after this show the like negligence.
Roister. I pardon you this once; and,
come, sing ne'er the worse.
Merrygreek. How like you the goodness of
this gentleman, nurse?
Mumblecrust. God save his mastership, that
so can his men forgive !
And I will hear them sing, ere I go, by his
leave.
Roister. Marry, and thou shalt, wench !
come, we two will dance !
Mumblecrust. Nay, I will by mine own self
foot the song perchance.
Roister. Go to it, sirs, lustily !
[Retires to write a letter.
Mumblecrust. Pipe up a merry note !
Let me hear it played, I will foot it for a groat.
[Cantent.
[Whoso to marry a minion wife,
Hath had good chance and hap,
Must love her and cherish her all his life,
And dandle her in his lap.
32 Ralph Roister Doistcr, Act I., Sc. 4
// she will fare well, if she will go gay,
A good husband ever still,
Whatever she lust to do, or to say,
Must let her have her own will.
About what affairs soever he go,
He must show her all his mind.
None of his counsel she may be kept fro,
Else is he a man unkind.]
Roister. Now, nurse, take this same letter
here to thy mistress ;
And, as my trust is in thee, ply my business.
Mumblecrust. It shall be done !
Merry greek. Who made it?
Roister. 1 wrote it each whit.
Merry greek. Then needs it no mending?
Roister. No, no.
Merrygreek. No, I know your wit. I
warrant it well.
Mumblecrust. It shall be delivered ;
But, if ye speed, shall I be considered?
Merrygreek. Whough ! dost thou doubt of
that?
Mumblecrust. What shall I have?
Merrygreek. An hundred times more than
thou canst devise to crave.
Mumblecrust. Shall I have some new gear,
for my old is all spent?
Merrygreek. The worst kitchen wench shall
go in ladies* raiment.
Mumblecrus t. Yea ?
Merrygreek. And the worst drudge in the
house shall go better
Than your mistress doth now.
Mumblecrust. Then I trudge with your letter.
Ralph Roister Doister, Act I., Sc. 5 33
Roister. Now may I repose me : Custance
is mine own.
Let us sing and play homeward, that it may be
known.
Merrygreek. But are you sure that your
letter is well enough?
Roister. I wrote it myself.
Merrygreek. Then sing we to dinner.
[Here they sing, and go out singing.
ACTUS I., SC^NA 5.
CHRISTIAN CUSTANCE. MARGERY MUMBLECRUST.
Custance. Who took thee this letter, Mar-
gery Mumblecrust?
Mumblecrust. A lusty gay bachelor took it
me of trust,
And if ye seek to him, he will lowe your doing.
Custance. Yea, but where learned he that
manner of wooing?
Mumblecrust. If to sue to him you will any
pains take,
He will have you to his wife (he saith) for my
sake.
Custance. Some wise gentleman belike : I
am bespoken.
And I thought verily this had been some token
From my dear spouse, Gawin Goodluck, whom
when him please,
God luckily send home to both our hearts' ease !
Mumblecrust. A jolly man it is, I wot well
by report,
And would have you to him for marriage resort.
Best open the writing, and see what it doth
speak.
UDALL D
34 Ralph Roister Doister, Act II., Sc. i
Custance. At this time, nurse, I will neither
read ne break.
Mumblecrust. He promised to give you a
whole peck of gold.
Custance. Perchance, lack of a pint, when
it shall be all told.
Mumblecrust. I would take a gay rich
husband, and I were you.
Custance. In good sooth, Madge, e'en so
would I, if I were thou.
But no more of this fond talk now ; let us go in,
And see thou no more move me folly to begin ;
Nor bring me no mo letters for no man's
pleasure,
But thou know from whom.
Mumblecrust. I warrant ye shall be sure.
ACTUS II., SC/ENA i.
[.4 night has passed between the first and
second acts.]
DOBINET DOUGHTY.
Doughty. Where is the house I go to,
before or behind ?
I know not where nor when, nor how I shall it
find.
If I had ten men's bodies and legs, and
strength,
This trotting that I have must needs lame me
at length.
And now that my master is new-set on wooing,
I trust there shall none of us find lack of doing :
Two pair of shoes a day will now be too little
To serve me, I must trot to and fro so mickle.
" Go bear me this token ! " " carry me this
letter; "
Ralph Roister Doister, Act II., Sc. i 35
Now this is the best way; now that way is
better.
" Up before day, sirs, I charge you, an hour
or twain ;
Trudge, do me this message, and bring word
quick again."
If one miss but a minute, then, " His arms and
wounds !
I would not have slacked for ten thousand
pounds !
Nay see, I beseech you, if my most trusty page
Go not now about to hinder my marriage."
So fervent hot wooing, and so far from wiving,
I trow, never was any creature living ;
With every woman is he in some love's-pang;
Then up to our lute at midnight, Tivangledom
twang !
Then twang with our sonnets, and twang with
our dumps ;
And Heigho ! from our heart, as heavy as lead-
lumps.
Then to our recorder with Tocdleloodle poop !
As the howlet out of an ivy bush should hoop.
Anon to our gittern, Thrumpledum thrumple-
dum thrum,
Thrumpledum, thrumpledum, thrumpledum,
thrumpledum, thrum !
Of songs and ballads also he is a maker,
And that can he as finely do as Jack Raker ;
Yea, and extempore will he ditties compose ;
Foolish Marsias ne'er made the like, I suppose;
Yet must we sing them, as good stuff, I under-
take,
As for such a pen-man is well fitting to make.
" Ah, for these long nights ! heigho ! when will
it be day?
D 2
36 Ralph Roister Doister, Act II., Sc. 2
I fear, ere I come, she will be wooed away. ' "
Then, when answer is made, that it may not be,
" O death, why comest thou not? " by and by
saith he ;
But then, from his heart to put away sorrow,
He is as far in with some new love next
morrow.
But, in the mean season, we trudge and we
trot;
From dayspring to midnight, I sit not, nor
rest not.
And now am I sent to dame Christian Cus-
tance ;
But I fear it will end with a mock for pastance.
I bring her a ring, with a token in a clout ;
And, by all guess, this same is her house out
of doubt.
I know it now perfect, I am in my right way ;
And lo ! yond the old nurse that was with us
last day.
ACTUS II., SC/ENA 2.
MADGE MUMBLECRUST. DOBINET DOUGHTY.
Mumblecrust. I was ne'er so shoke up afore,
since I was born ;
That our mistress could not have chid, I would
have sworn ;
And I pray God I die, if I meant any harm ;
But for my lifetime this shall be to me a charm.
'Doughty. God you save and see, nurse ! and
how is it with you?
Mumblecrust. Marry ! a great deal the worse
it is for such as thou.
Doughty. For me? Why so?
Ralph Roister Doister, Act II., Sc. 3 37
Mumblecrust. Why, were not thou one of
them, say,
That sang- and played here with the gentleman
last day?
Doughty. Yes, and he would know if you
have for him spoken,
And prays you to deliver this ring- and token.
Mumblecrust. Now, by the token that God
tokened, brother,
I will deliver no token, one nor other.
I have once been so shent for your master's
pleasure,
As I will not be again for all his treasure.
Doughty. He will thank you, woman.
Mumblecrust. I will none of his thank.
[Exit.
Doughty. I ween I am a prophet ; this gear
will prove blank.
But what, should I home again without answer
go?
It were better go to Rome on my head than so.
I will tarry here this month, but some of the
house
Shall take it of me, and then I care not a louse.
But yonder cometh forth a wench or a lad
If he have not one Lombard's touch, my luck
is bad.
ACTUS II., SC^NA 3.
TRUEPENNY. DOBINET DOUGHTY. TIBET TALK-
APACE. ANNOT ALYFACE.
Truepenny. I am clean lost for lack of merry
company ;
We 'gree not half well within, our wenches and
I:
38 Ralph Roister Doister, Act II., Sc. 3
They will command like mistresses, they will
forbid ;
If they be not served, Truepenny must be chid.
Let them be as merry now as ye can desire :
With turning of a hand our mirth lieth in the
mire.
I cannot skill of such changeable mettle,
There is nothing with them but, " In dock, out
nettle."
Doughty. Whether is it better that I speak
to him first,
Or he first to me? It is good to cast the
worst.
If I begin first, he will smell all my purpose ;
Otherwise I shall not need anything to disclose.
[Aside.
Truepenny. What boy have we yonder? I
will see what he is.
Doughty. He cometh to me. It is here-
about, i-wis. [Aside.
Truepenny. Wouldest thou ought, friend,
that thou lookest so about?
Doughty. Yea ! but whether ye can help me
or no, I doubt
I seek to one Mistress Custance house here
dwelling.
Truepenny. It is my mistress ye seek, too,
by your telling.
Doughty. Is there any of that name here
but she?
Truepenny. Not one in all the whole town
that I know, parde.
Doughty. A widow she is, I trow.
Truepenny. And what and she be?
Doughty. But ensured to an husband?
Truepenny. Yea, so think we.
Ralph Roister Doister, Act II., Sc. 3 39
Doughty. And I dwell with her husband
that trusteth to be.
Truepenny. In faith ! then must thou needs
be welcome to me.
Let us, for acquaintance, shake hands
together ;
And, whate'er thou be, heartily welcome hither.
[Tib and Annot would seem to enter here.]
Talkapace. Well, Truepenny ! never but
flinging ?
Alyface. And frisking?
Truepenny. Well, Tibet and Annot ! still
swinging and whisking?
Talkapace. But ye roil abroad.
Alyface. In the street everywhere.
Truepenny. Where are ye twain? in
chambers, when ye meet me there?
But come hither, fools : I have one now by the
hand,
Servant to him that must be our mistress*
husband ;
Bid him welcome !
Alyface. To me truly is he welcome.
Talkapace. Forsooth ! and, as I may say,
heartily welcome.
Doughty. I thank you, mistress maids.
Alyface. I hope we shall better know.
Talkapace. And when will our new master
come?
Doughty. Shortly, I trow.
Talkapace. I would it were to-morrow ; for,
till he resort,
Our mistress, being a widow, hath small com-
fort;
And I heard our nurse speak of an husband
to-day,
40 Ralph Roister Bolster , Act II., Sc. 3
Ready for our mistress ; a rich man and a gay.
And we shall go in our French hoods every
day;
In our silk cassocks (I warrant you) fresh and
gay;
In our trick ferdegews and billiments of gold ;
Brave in our suits of change, seven double fold.
Then shall ye see Tibet, sirs, tread the moss so
trim ;
Nay, why said I tread? ye shall see her glide
and swim ;
Not lumperdy-clumperdy, like our spaniel Rig.
Truepenny. Marry, then, prick-me-dainty !
come, toast me a fig.
Who shall then know our Tib Talkapace, trow
ye?
Alyface. And why not Annot Alyface as
fine as she?
Truepenny. And what, had Tom Truepenny
a father or none?
Alyface. Then our pretty new-come-man
will look to be one.
Truepenny. We four, I trust, shall be a
jolly merry knot.
Shall we sing a fit to welcome our friend,
Annot?
Alyface. Perchance, he cannot sing.
Doughty. I am at all assays.
Talkapace. By Cock ! and the better
welcome to us always.
Here they sing:
A thing very fit
For them that have wit,
And are fellows knit,
Servants in one house to be :
Ralph Roister Doister, Act II., Sc. 3 41
Is fast JOY to sit,
And not oft to flit,
Nor vary a whit,
But lovingly to agree.
No man complaining,
No other disdaining,
For loss or for gaining,
But fellows or friends to be.
No grudge remaining,
No work refraining,
Nor help restraining,
But lovingly to agree.
No man for despite,
By word or by write
His fellow to twite,
But further in honesty;
No good turns entwite,
Nor old sores recite,
But let all go quite,
And lovingly to agree.
After drudgery,
When they be weary,
Then to be merry,
To laugh and sing they be free;
With chip and cherry,
Heigh derry derry,
Trill on the bery,
And lovingly to agree.
Talkapace. Will you now in with us unto
our mistress go?
Doughty. I have first for my master an
errand or two.
But I have here from him a token and a ring ;
42 Ralph Roister Doister, Act II., Sc. 4
They shall have most thank of her that first
doth it bring.
Talkapace. Marry ! that will I.
Truepenny. See and Tibet snatch not now !
Talkapace. And why may not I, sir, get
thanks as well as you? [Exit.
Alyface. Yet get ye not all, we will go with
you both,
And have part of your thanks, be ye never so
loth. [Exit cranes.
Doughty. So my hands are rid of it ; I care
for no more,
I may now return home ; so durst I not afore.
[Exit.
ACTUS II., SC^NA 4.
C[HRISTIAN] CUSTANCE. TIBET [TALKAPACE].
ANNOT ALYFACE. TRUEPENNY.
Custance. Nay, come forth all three; and
come hither, pretty maid ;
Will not so many forewarnings make you
afraid ?
Talkapace. Yes, forsooth !
Custance. But still be a runner up and
down?
Still be a bringer of tidings and tokens to
town?
Talkapace. No, forsooth, mistress !
Custance. Is all your delight and joy
In whisking and ramping abroad, like a Tom-
boy?
Talkapace. Forsooth ! these were there too,
Annot and Truepenny.
Truepenny. Yea, but ye alone took it, ye
cannot deny.
Ralph Roister Doister, Act II., Sc. 4 43
Alyface. Yea, that ye did.
Talkapace. But, if I had not, ye twain
would.
Custance. You great calf ! ye should have
more wit, so ye should. [To Truepenny.
But why should any of you take such things in
hand?
Talkapace. Because it came from him that
must be your husband.
Custance. How do ye know that?
Talkapace. Forsooth ! the boy did say so.
Custance. What was his name?
Alyface. We asked not.
Custance. No, did [ye not?]
Alyface. He is not far gone, of likelihood.
Truepenny. I will see.
Custance. If thou canst find him in the
street bring him to me.
Truepenny. Yes. [Exeat.
Custance. Well, ye naughty girls, if ever I
perceive
That henceforth you do letters or tokens
receive,
To bring unto me from any person or place,
Except ye first show me the party face to face,
Either thou, or thou, full truly aby thou shalt.
Talkapace. Pardon this, and the next time
powder me in salt.
Custance. I shall make all girls by you
twain to beware.
Talkapace. If ever I offend again, do not me
spare.
But if ever I see that false boy any more,
By your mistresship's licence, I tell you afore,
I will rather have my coat twenty times
swinged,
44 Ralph Roister Doister, Act II., Sc. 4
Than on the naughty wag not to be avenged.
distance. Good wenches would not so ramp
abroad idly,
But keep within doors, and ply their work
earnestly.
If one would speak with me, that is a man
likely,
Ye shall have right good thank to bring me
word quickly ;
But otherwise with messages to come in post,
From henceforth I promise you shall be to your
cost.
Get you into your work.
Talkapace and Alyface. Yes, forsooth !
distance. Hence, both twain,
And let me see you play me such a part again !
[Exit Talkapace and Alyface.
Truepenny (re-entering). Mistress, I have
run past the far end of the street,
Yet can I not yonder crafty boy see nor meet.
distance. No?
Truepenny. Yet f looked as far beyond the
people
As one may see out of the top of Paul's steeple.
Custance. Hence, in at doors, and let me no
more be vext !
Truepenny. Forgive me this one fault, and
lay on for the next. [Exit Truepenny.
Custance. Now will I in too, for I think, so
God me mend !
This will prove some foolish matter in the end.
[Exeat.
Ralph Roister Doister, Act III., Sc. 1-2 45
ACTUS III., SCLENA i.
MATTHEW MERRYGREEK.
Merrygreek. Now say this again : he hath
somewhat to doing
Which followeth the trace of one that is
wooing ;
Specially that hath no more wit in his head,
Than my cousin Roister Doister withal is led.
I am sent in all haste to espy and to mark,
How our letters and tokens are likely to wark.
Master Roister Doister must have answer in
haste,
For he loveth not to spend much labour in
waste.
Now, as for Christian Custance, by this light !
Though she had not her troth to Gawin Good-
luck plight,
Yet rather than with such a loutish dolt to
marry,
I daresay would live a poor life solitary.
But fain would I speak with Custance, if I wist
how,
To laugh at the matter. Yond cometh one
forth now.
ACTUS III., SC^NA 2.
TIBET [TALKAPACE]. M[ATTHEW] MERRYGREEK.
[CHRISTIAN CUSTANCE.]
Talkapace. Ah ! that I might but once in my
life have a sight
Of him who made us all so ill-shent ! By this
light,
He should never escape, if I had him by the
ear !
But even from his head I would it bite or tear.
46 Ralph Roister Doister, Act III., Sc. 2
Yea, and if one of them were not enou',
I would bite them both off, I make God avow !
Merrygreek. What is he, whom this little
mouse doth so threaten? [Aside.
Talkapace. 1 would teach him, I trow, to
make girls shent or beaten.
Merrygreek. I will call her. Maid, with
whom are ye so hasty ?
Talkapace. Not with you, sir, but with a
little wag-pasty ;
A deceiver of folks by subtle craft and guile.
Merrygreek. I know where she is : Dobinet
hath wrought some wile.
Talkapace. He brought a ring, and token,
which he said was sent
From our dame's husband, but I wot well I was
shent ;
For it liked her as well, to tell you no lies,
As water in her ship, or salt cast in her eyes :
And yet, whence it came, neither we nor she
can tell.
Merrygreek. We shall have sport anon : I
like this very well. [A side.
And dwell ye here with mistress Custance, fair
maid?
Talkapace. Yea, marry do I, sir ! what
would ye have said?
Merrygreek. A little message unto her, by
word of mouth.
Talkapace. No messages, by your leave,
nor tokens, forsooth !
Merrygreek. Then help me to speak with
her.
Talkapace. With a good will that.
Here she cometh forth. Now speak ye know
best what. [Custance enters.]
Ralph Roister Doister, Act III., Sc. 2 47
Custance. None other life with you, maid,
but abroad to skip?
Talkapace. Forsooth ! here is one would
speak with your mistresship.
Custance. Ah ! have ye been learning of mo
messages now?
Talkapace. 1 would not hear his mind, but
bad him show it to you.
Custance. In at doors !
Talkapace. I am gone. [Exit.
Merrygreek. Dame Custance, God ye save !
Custance. Welcome, friend Merrygreek ;
and what thing would ye have?
Merrygreek. I am come to you a little
matter to break.
Custance. But see it be honest, else better
not to speak.
Merrygreek. How feel ye yourself affected
here of late?
Custance. I feel no manner change, but
after the old rate.
But whereby do ye mean?
Merrygreek. Concerning marriage.
Doth not love lade you?
Custance. I feel no such carriage.
Merrygreek. Do ye feel no pangs of dotage?
Answer me right.
Custance. I doat so, that I make but one
sleep all the night.
But what need all these words?
Merrygreek. O Jesus ! will ye see [Aside.
What dissembling creatures these same women
be?
The gentleman ye wot of, whom ye do so love,
That ye would fain marry him, if ye durst it
move,
4 8
Ralph Roister Doister, Act III., Sc. 2
Among other rich widows which are of him
glad,
Lest ye for lesing of him perchance might run
mad,
Is now contented that, upon your suit
making,
Ye be as one in election of taking.
Custance. What a tale is this? That I
wot of? Whom I love?
Merrygreek. Yea, and he is as loving a
worm again as a dove.
E'en of very pity he is willing you to take,
Because ye shall not destroy yourself for his
sake.
Custance. Marry ! God 'ield his maship !
whatever he be,
It is gentmanly spoken.
Merrygreek. Is it not, trow ye?
If ye have the grace now to offer yourself, ye
speed.
Custance. As much as though I did ; this
time it shall not need.
But what gentman is it, I pray you tell me
plain,
That wooeth so finely?
Merrygreek. Lo, where ye be again !
As though ye knew him not !
Custance. Tush ! ye speak in jest.
Merrygreek. Nay, sure the party is in good
knacking earnest,
And have you he will (he saith) and have you
he must.
Custance. I am promised during my life,
that is just.
Merrygreek. Marry ! so thinketh he unto
him alone.
Ralph Roister Doister, Act III., Sc. 2 49
Custance. No creature hath my faith and
troth but one,
That is Gawin Goodluck : and if it be not he,
He hath no title this way, whatever he be,
Nor I know none to whom I have such words
spoken.
Merrygreek. Ye know him not, you, by his
letter and token !
Custance. Indeed true it is that a letter I
have,
But I never read it yet, as God me save !
Merrygreek. Ye a woman? and your letter
so long unread !
Custance. Ye may thereby know what haste
I have to wed.
But now, who it is for my hand I know by
guess.
Merrygreek. Ah ! well, I say
Custance. It is Roister Doister, doubtless.
Merrygreek. Will ye never leave this dis-
simulation?
Ye know him not?
Custance. But by imagination ;
For no man there is, but a very dolt and lout,
That to woo a widow would so go about.
He shall never have me his wife, while he do
live.
Merrygreek. Then will he have you if he
may, so mot I thrive;
And he blddeth you send him word by me,
That ye humbly beseech him, ye may his wife
be;
And that there shall be no let in you nor mis-
trust,
But to be wedded on Sunday next, if he lust ;
And biddeth you to look for him.
UDALL E
50 Ralph Roister Doister, Act III., Sc. 3
distance. Doth he bid so?
Merrygreek. When he cometh, ask him
whether he did or no?
distance. Go say, that I bid him keep him
warm at home,
For, if he come abroad, he shall cough me a
mome.
My mind was vexed, I 'shrew his head, sottish
dolt!
Merrygreek. He hath in his head
Custance. As much brain as a burbolt.
Merrygreek. Well, dame Custance, if he
hear you thus play choploge
Custance. What will he?
Merrygreek. Play the devil in the horologe.
Custance. I defy him, lout !
Merrygreek. Shall I tell him what ye say?
Custance. Yea, and add whatsoever thou
canst, I thee pray,
And I will avouch it, whatsoever it be.
Merrygreek. Then let me alone; we will
laugh well, ye shall see ;
It will not be long, ere he will hither resort.
Custance. Let him come when him lust, I
wish no better sport.
Fare ye well : I will in, and read my great
letter ;
I shall to my wooer make answer the better.
[Exeat.
ACTUS III., SC^ENA 3.
MATTHEW MERRYGREEK. ROISTER DOISTER.
Merrygreek. Now that the whole answer in
my device doth rest,
I shall paint out our wooer in colours of the
best;
Ralph Roister Doister, Act III., Sc. 3 51
And all that I say shall be on Custance's mouth,
She is author of all that I shall speak, for-
sooth !
But yond cometh Roister Doister now, in a
trance.
[Enter Roister Doister.]
Roister. Juno send me this day good luck
and good chance !
I cannot but come see how Merrygreek doth
speed.
Merrygreek [aside]. I will not see him, but
give him a jut indeed.
[He runs hard into him.]
I cry your mastership mercy !
Roister. And whither now?
Merrygreek. As fast as I could run, sir, in
post against you.
But why speak ye so faintly, or why are ye so
sad?
Roister. Thou knowest the proverb be-
cause I cannot be had.
Hast thou spoken with this woman?
Merrygreek. Yea, that I have.
Roister. And what, will this gear be?
Merrygreek. No, so God me save !
Roister. Hast thou a flat answer?
Merrygreek. Nay, a sharp answer.
Roister. What?
Merrygreek. " Ye s-hall not (she saith), by
her will, marry her cat.
Ye are such a calf, such an ass, such a block,
Such a lilburn, such a hobil, such a lobcock. "
And because ye should come to her at no
season,
She despised your maship out of all reason.
E 2
52 Ralph Roister Doister, Act III., Sc. 3
' Beware what ye say (ko I) of such a gent-
man ! "
" Nay, I fear him not (ko she), do the best
he can.
He vaunteth himself for a man of prowess
great,
Whereas a good gander, I dare say, may him
beat.
And where he is louted and laughed to scorn,
For the veriest dolt that ever was born :
And veriest lubber, sloven and beast,
Living in this world from the west to the east ;
Yet of himself hath he such opinion,
That in all the world is not the like minion.
He thinketh each woman to be brought in
dotage
With the only sight of his goodly personage :
Yet none that will have him : we do him lout
and flock,
And make him among us our common sporting-
stock ;
And so would I now (ko she), save only be-
cause "
" Better nay (ko I)." "I lust not meddle with
daws. "'
" Ye are happy (ko I) that ye are a woman :
This would cost you your life, in case ye were a
man."
Roister. Yea, an hundred thousand pound
should not save her life.
Merrygreek. No, but that ye woo her to
have her to your wife;
But I could not stop her mouth.
Roister. Heigho, alas !
Merrygreek. Be of good cheer, man, and
et the world pass.
Ralph Roister Doister, Act III., Sc. 3 $3
Roister. What shall I do or say, now that
it will not be?
Merry greek. Ye shall have choice of a
thousand as good as she;
And ye must pardon her ; it is for lack of wit.
Roister. Yea, for were not I an husband for
her fit?
Well, what should I now do?
Merrygreek. In faith, I cannot tell !
Roister. I will go home, and die.
Merrygreek. Then shall I bid toll the bell?
Roister. No.
Merrygreek. God have mercy on your soul :
ah, good gentleman,
That e'er you should th[u]s die for an unkind
woman !
Will ye drink once, ere ye go?
Roister. No, no, I will none.
Merrygreek. How feelfs] your soul to God?
Roister. I am nigh gone.
Merrygreek. And shall we hence straight?
Roister. Yea.
Merrygreek. Placebo dilexi.
Master Roister Doister will straight go home,
and die. [ut infra.
Roister. Heigho, alas ! the pangs of death
my heart do break.
Merrygreek. Hold your peace, for shame,
sir ! a dead man may not speak.
Ne quando. What mourners and what torches
shall we have?
Roister. None.
Merrygreek. Dirige. He will go darkling
to his grave :
Neque lux, neque crux, neque mourners, neque
clink ;
54 Ralph Roister Doister, Act III., Sc. 3
He will steal to heaven, unknowing to God, I
think,
A porta inferi. Who shall your goods possess ?
Roister. Thou shalt be my sector, and have
all, more and less.
Merrygreek. Requiem ceternam. Now, God
reward your mastership !
And I will cry halfpenny-dole for your worship,
Come forth, sirs ! hear the doleful news I shall
you tell. [Evocat servos milites.
Our good master here will no longer with us
dwell,
But in spite of Custance, which hath him
wearied,
Let us see his maship solemnly buried ;
And while some piece of his soul is yet him
within,
Some part of his funerals let us here begin.
Audivi vocem. All men take heed by this one
gentleman,
How you set your love upon an unkind woman ;
For those women be all such mad, peevish
elves,
They will not be won, except it please them-
selves.
But, in faith, Custance, if ever ye come in hell,
Master Roister Doister shall serve you as
well
And will ye needs go from us thus in very deed ?
Roister. Yea, in good sadness !
Merrygreek. Now Jesus Christ be your
speed.
Good night, Roger, old knave ! farewell,
Roger, old knave !
Good night, Roger, old knave ! knave knap !
[ut infra.
Ralph Roister Doister, Act III., Sc. 3 55
Pray for the late master Roister Bolster's soul,
And come forth, parish clerk; let the passing-
bell toll.
Pray for your master, sirs ; and for him ring a
peal. \_Ad servos milites.
He was your right good master, while he was
in heal.
[The Peal of bells rung by the parish Clerk and
Roister Doister's four men.
The first Bell, a Triple. When died he?
When died he?
The second. We have him ! We have
him !
The third. Roister Doister ! Roister
Doister !
The fourth Bell. He cometh ! He cometh !
The great Bell. Our own ! Our own !]
Qui Lazarum. Roister. Heigho !
Merrygreek. Dead men go not so fast
In Paradisum.
Roister. Heigho !
Merrygreek. Soft, hear what I have cast.
Roister. I will hear nothing, I am past.
Merrygreek. Whough, wellaway !
Ye may tarry one hour, and hear what I shall
say.
Ye were best, sirs, for awhile to revive again,
And quite them, ere ye go.
Roister. Trowest thou so?
Merrygreek. Yea, plain.
Roister. How may I revive, being now so
far past?
Merrygreek. I will rub your temples, and
fet you again at last.
Roister. It will not be possible.
56 Ralph Roister Doister, Act III., Sc. 3
Merrygreek [rubbing Roister's temples
roughly]. Yes, for twenty pound.
Roister. Arms ! what dost thou ?
Merrygreek. Fet you again out of your
sound.
By this cross ! ye were nigh gone indeed ; I
might feel
Your soul departing within an inch of your
heel.
Now follow my counsel
Roister. What is it?
Merrygreek. If I were you,
Custance should eft seek to me, ere I would
bow.
Roister. Well, as thou wilt have me, even
so will I do.
Merrygreek. Then shall ye revive again for
an hour or two.
Roister. As thou wilt : I am content, for a
little space.
Merrygreek. Good hap is not hasty : yet in
space com[e]th grace.
To speak with Custance yourself should be very
well;
What good thereof may come, nor I, nor you
can tell.
But now the matter standeth upon your mar-
riage,
Ye must now take unto you a lusty courage.
Ye may not speak with a faint heart to Cus-
tance ;
But with a lusty breast and countenance,
That she may know she hath to answer to a
man.
Roister. Yes, I can do that as well as any
can.
Ralph Roister Doister, Act III., Sc. 3 57
Merrygreek. Then, because ye must Cus-
tance face to face woo,
Let us see how to behave yourself ye can do.
Ye must have a portly brag after your estate.
Roister. Tush ! I can handle that after the
best rate.
Merrygreek. Well done ! so, lo ! up, man,
with your head and chin !
Up with that snout, man ! so lo ! now ye begin.
So ! that is somewhat like ; but, pranky-coat,
nay whan !
That is a lusty brute ! hands unto your side,
man !
So, lo ! now is it even as it should be ;
That is somewhat like for a man of your
degree.
Then must ye stately go, jetting up and down.
Tut ! can ye no better shake the tail of your
gown?
There, lo ! such a lusty brag it is ye must make.
Roister. To come behind, and make
curtsey, thou must some pains take.
Merrygreek. Else were I much to blame. I
thank your mastership ;
The Lord one day ail-to begrime you with
worship
[Merrygreek pushes violently against Roister.]
Back, Sir Sauce ! let gentlefolks have elbow-
room.
'Void, sirs ! see ye not Master Roister Doister
come?
Make place, my masters [knocks against R.]
Roister. Thou jostlest now too nigh.
Merrygreek. Back, all rude louts !
Roister. Tush !
Merrygreek. I cry your maship mercy !
5 Ralph Roister Doistcr, Act III., Sc. 3
Hoiday ! if fair fine Mistress Custance saw you
now,
Ralph Roister Doister were her own, I warrant
you.
Roister. Ne'er an M[aster] by your girdle?
Merrygreek. Your good Mastership's
Mastership were her own mistresship's mistres-
ship's.
Ye were take up for hawks ; ye were gone, ye
were gone :
But now one other thing more yet I think upon.
Roister. Show what it is.
Merrygreek. A wooer, be he never so poor,
Must play and sing before his best-belove's
door.
How much more then you ?
Roister. Thou speakest well, out of doubt.
Merrygreek. And perchance that would
make her the sooner come out.
Roister. Go call my musicians ; bid them hie
apace.
Merrygreek. 1 will be here with them, ere
ye can say trey ace. [Exeat.
Roister. This was well said of Merrygreek,
I 'low his wit,
Before my sweetheart's door we will have a
fit;
That, if my love come forth, I may with her
talk;
I doubt not but this gear shall on my side walk.
But lo ! how well Merrygreek is returned since.
[Merrygreek returning with the musicians].
There hath grown no grass on my heel, since
I went hence
Lo ! here have I brought that shall make you
pastance.
Ralph Roister Doister, Act III., Sc. 3 59
Roister. Come, sirs ! let us sing", to win my
dear love Custance. [Cantent.
[/ mun be married a Sunday ;
I mun be married a Sunday;
Whosoever shall come that way,
I mun be married a Sunday.
Roister Doister is my name;
Roister Doister is my name;
A lusty brute I am the same ;
I mun be married a Sunday.
Christian Custance have I found;
Christian Custance have I found;
A widow worth a thousand pound;
I mun be married a Sunday.
Custance is as sweet as honey;
Custance is as sweet as honey ;
1 her lamb, and she my coney ;
I mun be married a Sunday.
When we shall make our wedding feast,
When we shall make our wedding feast,
There shall be cheer for man and beast;
I mun be married a Sunday.
I mun be married a Sunday, &c.]
Merry greek. Lo, where she cometh ! some
countenance to her make ;
And ye shall hear me be plain with her for your
sake.
ACTUS III., SC^ENA 4.
[CHRISTIAN] CUSTANCE. [MATTHEW] MERRY-
GREEK. ROISTER DOISTER.
Custance. What gauding and fooling- is this
afore my door ?
60 Ralph Roister Doister, Act III., Sc. 4
Merrygreek. May not folks be honest, pray
you, though they be poor?
Custance. As that thing may be true, so
rich folks may be fools.
Roister. Her talk is as fine as she had
learned in schools.
Merrygreek. Look partly toward her, and
draw a little near. [Aside.
Custance. Get ye home, idle folks !
Merrygreek. Why may not we be here?
Nay, and ye will haze, haze; otherwise, I tell
you plain,
And ye will not haze, then give us our gear
again.
Custance. Indeed, I have of yours much gay
things, God save all !
Roister. Speak gently unto her, and let her
take all. [Aside.
Merrygreek. Ye are too tender-hearted.
Shall she make us daws? [Aside.
Nay, dame, I will be plain with you in my
friend's cause.
Roister. Let all this pass, sweetheart, and
accept my service.
Custance. I will not be served with a fool
in no wise.
When I choose an husband, I hope to take a
man.
Merrygreek. And where will ye find one
which can do that he can ?
Now this man toward you being so kind,
You not to make him an answer somewhat to
his mind?
Custance. I sent him a full answer by you,
did I not?
Merrygreek. And I reported it.
Ralph Roister Doister, Act III., Sc. 4 61
distance. Nay, I must speak it again.
Roister. No, no, he told it all.
Merry greek. Was I not meetly plain?
Roister. Yes.
Merry greek. But I would not tell all ; for,
faith ! if I had,
With you, dame Custance, ere this hour it had
been bad ;
And not without cause : for this goodly person-
age
Meant no less than to join with you in mar-
riage.
Custance. Let him waste no more labour
nor suit about me.
Merry greek. Ye know not where your pre-
ferment lieth, I see;
He sendeth you such a token, ring and letter.
Custance. Marry, here it is I ye never saw
a better.
Merry greek. Let us see your letter.
Custance. Hold ! read it if ye can :
And see what letter it is to win a woman.
Merry greek [takes the letter and reads:]
To mine own dear coney, bird, sweetheart, and
pigsny,
Good Mistress Custance, present these by and
by.
Of this superscription do ye blame the style?
Custance. With the rest, as good stuff as
ye read a great while.
Merry greek [reads:]
" Sweet Mistress, where as I love you nothing
at all,
62 Ralph Roister Doister, Act III., Sc. 4
Regarding your substance and riches chief of
all;
For your personage, beauty, demeanour and
wit,
I commend me unto you never a whit.
Sorry to hear report of your good welfare,
For, (as I hear say) such your conditions are,
That ye be worthy favour of no living man;
To be abhorred of every honest man.
To be taken for a woman inclined to vice;
Nothing at all to virtue giving her due price.
Wherefore concerning marriage ye are thought
Such a fine paragon as ne'er honest man
bought.
And now by these presents I do you advertise,
That I am minded to marry you in no wise.
For your goods and substance, I could be con-
tent
To take you as ye are. If ye mind to be my
wife,
Ye shall be assured, for the time of my life,
I will keep ye right well from good raiment and
fare ;
Ye shall not be kept but in sorrow and care.
Ye shall in no wise live at your own liberty;
Do and say what ye lust, ye shall never please
me;
But when ye are merry, I will be all sad;
When ye are sorry, I will be very glad.
When ye seek your heart's ease, I will be un-
kind ;
At no time in me shall ye much gentleness find;
But all things contrary to your will and mind
Shall be done : otherwise I will not be behind
To speak. And as for all them that would do
you wrong,
Ralph Roister Doister, Act III., Sc. 4 63
I will so help and maintain, ye shall not live
long.
Nor any foolish dolt shall cumber you, but I ;
I, ivhoe'er say nay, will stick by you, till I die.
Thus, good Mistress Custance, the Lord you
save and keep
From me, Roister Doister, -whether I wake or
sleep,
Who favoureth you no less (ye may be bold]
Than this letter purporteth, which ye have un-
fold."
Custance. How, by this letter of love? is
it not fine?
Roister. By the Arms of Calais, it is none
of mine.
Merry greek. Fie ! you are foul to blame ;
this is your own hand.
Custance. Might not a woman be proud of
such an husband?
Merry greek. Ah, that ye would in a letter
show such despite !
Roister. O, I would I had him here, the
which did it indite !
Merrygreek. Why, ye made it yourself, ye
told me, by this light !
Roister. Yea, I meant I wrote it mine own
self yesternight.
Custance. I-wis, sir, I would not have sent
you such a mock.
Roister. Ye may so take it ; but I meant it
not so, by Cock !
Merrygreek. Who can blame this woman
to fume, and fret, and rage?
Tut, tut ! yourself now have marred your own
marriage. [Aside.
r
64 Ralph Roister Doister, Act III., Sc. 4
Well yet, Mistress Custance, if ye can this
remit ;
This gentleman otherwise may your love re-
quite.
Custance. No, God be with you both ! and
seek no more to me. [Exit.
Roister. Wough ! she is gone for ever, I
shall her no more see.
Merry greek. What, weep? Fie for shame!
And blubber? For manhood's sake !
Never let your foe so much pleasure of you
take.
Rather play the man's part, and do love re-
frain ;
If she despise you, e'en despise ye her again.
Roister. By Goss, and for thy sake, I defy
her indeed !
Merrygreek. Yea, and perchance that way
ye shall much sooner speed ;
For one mad property these women have, in
fay!
When ye will, they will not; will not ye? then
will they !
Ah, foolish woman ! ah, most unlucky Cus-
tance !
Ah, unfortunate woman ! ah, peevish Cus-
tance !
Art thou to thine harms so obstinately bent,
That thou canst not see where lieth thine high
preferment?
Canst thou not lub dis man, which could lub
dee so well?
Art thou so much thine own foe?
Roister. Thou dost the truth tell.
Merrygreek. Well, I lament.
Roister. So do I.
Ralph Roister Doister, Act III., Sc. 4 65
Merry greek. Wherefore?
Roister. For this thing,
Because she is gone.
Merry greek. I mourn for another thing.
Roister. What is it, Merry greek, wherefore
thou dost grief take?
Merrygreek. That I am not a woman my-
self, for your sake.
I would have you myself, and a straw for yond
Gill!
And mock much of you, though it were against
my will.
I would not, I warrant you, fall in such a rage
As so to refuse such a goodly personage.
Roister. In faith, I heartily thank thee,
Merrygreek !
Merrygreek. And I were a woman
Roister. Thou wouldest to me seek.
Merrygreek. For, though I say it, a goodly
person ye be.
Roister. No, no !
Merrygreek. Yes, a goodly man, as e'er
I did see.
Roister. No, I am a poor homely man, as
God made me.
Merrygreek. By the faith that I owe to
God, sir, but ye be.
Would I might, for your sake, spend a
thousand pound land.
Roister. I daresay thou wouldest have me
to thy husband.
Merrygreek. Yea, and I were the fairest
lady in the shire,
And knew you as I know you, and see you now
here
Well, I say no more !
UDALL F
66 Ralph Roister Doister, Act III., Sc. 4
Roister. Gramercies, with all my heart !
Merrygreek. But, since that cannot be, will
ye play a wise part?
Roister. How should I ?
Merrygreek. Refrain from Custance a while
now,
And I warrant her soon right glad to seek to
you.
Ye shall see her anon come on her knees creep-
ing,
And pray you to be good to her, salt tears
weeping.
Roister. But what and she come not?
Merrygreek. In faith, then, farewell she !
Or else, if ye be wroth, ye may avenged be.
Roister. By Cock's precious potstick ! and
e'en so I shall ;
I will utterly destroy her, and house, and all.
But I would be avenged, in the mean space,
On that vile scribbler that did my wooing dis-
grace,
Merrygreek. Scribbler (ko you)? Indeed,
he is worthy no less.
I will call him to you, and ye bid me, doubt-
less.
Roister. Yes, for although he had as many
lives
As a thousand widows, and a thousand wives,
As a thousand lions, and a thousand rats,
A thousand wolves, and a thousand cats,
A thousand bulls, and a thousand calves,
And a thousand legions divided in halves
He shall never 'scape death on my sword's
point,
Though I should be torn therefore joint by
joint.
Ralph Roister Doister, Act III., Sc. 5 67
Merry greek. Nay, if ye will kill him, I will
not fet him,
I will not in so much extremity set him.
He may yet amend, sir, and be an honest man ;
Therefore, pardon him, good soul, as much as
ye can.
Roister. Well, for thy sake, this once with
his life he shall pass ;
But I will hew him all to pieces, by the
mass !
Merry greek. Nay, faith ! ye shall promise
that he shall no harm have,
Else I will not fet him.
Roister. I shall, so God me save !
But I may chide him a good.
Merry greek. Yea, that do hardily.
Roister. Go then !
Merry greek. I return, and bring him to you
by and by. [Ex.
ACTUS III., SC/ENA V.
ROISTER DOISTER. MATTHEW MERRYGREEK.
SCRIVENER.
Roister. What is a gentleman, but his word
and his promise?
I must now save this villain's life in any wise;
And yet at him already my hands do tickle,
I shall unneth hold them, they will be so fickle.
But lo, and Merrygreek have not brought him
sens !
[Enter Merrygreek and Scrivener at one side.
Merrygreek. Nay, I would I had of my
purse paid fortypence.
Scrivener. So would I too; but it needed
not that stound.
F 2
68 Ralph Roister Doister, Act III., Sc. 5
Merrygreek. But the gentman had rather
spent five thousand pound ;
For it disgraced him at least five times so
much.
Scrivener. He disgraced himself, his loutish-
ness is such.
Roister. How long they stand prating. (To
Merrygreek.) Why com'st thou not
away?
Merrygreek (to Scrivener). Come now to
himself, and hark what he will say.
Scrivener. 1 am not afraid in his presence
to appear.
Roister. Art thou come, fellow?
Scrivener. How think you ? Am I not here ?
Roister. What hindrance hast thou done
me, and what villainy !
Scrivener. It hath come of thyself, if thou
hast had any.
Roister. All the stock thou comest of, later
or rather,
From thy first father's grandfather's father's
father,
Nor all that shall come of thee, to the world's
end,
Though to three score generations they de-
scend,
Can be able to make me a just recompense
For this trespass of thine and this one offence.
Scrivener. Wherein ?
Roister. Did not you make me a letter,
brother ?
Scrivener. Pay the like hire, I will make
you such an other.
Roister. Nay, see ! and these whoreson
Pharisees and Scribes
Ralph Roister Doister, Act III., Sc. 5 69
Do not g-et their living- by polling- and bribes ;
If it were not for shame
[Advances to strike the Scrivener.
Scrivener. Nay, hold thy hands still.
Merrygreek. Why, did ye not promise that
ye would not him spill?
Scrivener [prepares to fight]. Let him not
spare me.
[Strikes Roister. \
Roister. Why, wilt thou strike me again?
Scrivener. Ye shall have as good as ye
bring of me, that is plain.
Merrygreek. I cannot blame him, sir,
though your blows would him grieve ;
For he knoweth present death to ensue of all ye
give.
Roister. Well, this man for once hath pur-
chased thy pardon.
Scrivener. And what say ye to me? or else
I will be gone.
Roister. I say, the letter thou madest me
was not good.
Scrivener. Then did ye wrong copy it, of
likelihood.
Roister. Yes, out of thy copy, word for
word, I wrote.
Scrivener. Then was it as ye prayed to have
it, I wot :
But in reading and pointing there was made
some fault.
Roister. I wot not; but it made all my
matter to halt.
Scrivener. How say you, is this mine
original or no?
Roister. The self same that I wrote out of,
so mote I go.
70 Ralph Roister Doister, Act III., Sc. 5
Scrivener. Look you on your own fist, and
I will look on this,
[Roister has got his own copy back from
distance.]
And let this man be judge whether I read amiss.
[He reads.]
To mine own dear coney, bird, sweetheart, and
pigsny,
Good Mistress Custance, present these by and
by.
How now? doth not this superscription agree?
Roister. Read that is within, and there ye
shall the fault see.
Scrivener [continues reading]. Sweet mis-
tress, whereas I love you; nothing at all
Regarding your richesse and substance; chief
of all [wit
For your personage, beauty, demeanour, and
I commend me unto you; never a whit
Sorry to hear report of your good welfare ;
For (as I hear say) such your conditions are
That ye be worthy favour; of no living man
To be abhorred; of every honest man
To be taken for a woman inclined to vice
Nothing at all; to virtue giving her due price.
Wherefore, concerning marriage, ye are
thought
Such a fine paragon as ne'er honest man
bought.
And now, by these presents, I do you advertise
That I am minded to marry you; in no wise
For your goods and substance; I can be con-
tent
To take you as you are ; if ye will be my wife
Ye shall be assured for the time of viy life
Ralph Roister Doister, Act III., Sc. 5 71
/ will keep you right well; from good raiment
and fare
Ye shall not be kept; but in sorrow and care
Ye shall in no wise live; at your own liberty
Do and say what ye lust; ye shall never please
me
But when ye are merry; I will be all sad
When ye are sorry ; I will be very glad
When ye seek your heart's ease; I will be
unkind
At no time; in me shall ye much gentleness
find.
But all things contrary to your will and mind
Shall be done otherwise; I will not be behind
To speak; and as for all them that would do
you wrong
(I will so help and maintain ye) shall not live
long.
Nor any foolish dolt shall cumber you; but I
I, whoe'er say nay, will stick by you till I die.
Thus, good mistress Custance, the Lord you
save and keep,
From me, Roister Doister, whether I wake or
sleep,
Who favoureth you no less (ye may be bold)
Than this letter purporteth, which ye have un-
fold.
Now, sir, what default can ye find in this letter ?
Roister. Of truth, in my mind, there cannot
be a better.
Scrivener. Then was the fault in reading,
and not in writing-,
No, nor, I dare say, in the form of inditing 1 .
But who read this letter, that it sounded- so
naught ?
72 Ralph Roister Doister, Act III., Sc. 5
Merry greek. I read it, indeed.
Scrivener. Ye read it not as ye ought.
Roister. Why, thou wretched villain, was
all this same fault in thee?
[Advances angrily to Merry greek.
Merrygreek [strikes Roister]. 1 knock your
costard, if ye offer to strike me.
Roister. Strikest thou indeed, and I offer
but in jest?
Merrygreek. Yea, and rap ye again, except
ye can sit in rest.
And I will no longer tarry here, me believe.
Roister. What, wilt thou be angry, and I
do thee forgive?
Fare thou well, scribbler; I cry thee mercy in-
deed !
Scrivener. Fare ye well, bibbler, and
worthily may ye speed !
Roister. If it were another but thou, it
were a knave !
Merrygreek. Ye are another yourself, sir,
the Lord us both save !
Albeit, in this matter, I must your pardon
crave.
Alas ! would ye wish in me the wit that ye
have?
But, as for my fault, I can quickly amend ;
I will show Custance it was I that did offend.
Roister. By so doing her anger may be re-
formed.
Merrygreek. But if by no entreaty she will
be turned,
Then set light by her, and be as testy as she,
And do your force upon her with extremity.
Roister. Come on, therefore ! let us go home
in sadness.
Ralph Roister Doister, Act IV., Sc. i 73
Merrygreek. That if force shall need, all
may be in a readiness ;
And as for this letter, hardily let all go ;
We will know, whe'er she refuse you for that
or no.
[Exeant amb[o].
ACTUS IV., SC^NA i.
SlM. SURESBY.
Suresby. Is there any man but I, Sim.
Suresby, alone
That would have taken such an enterprise him
upon;
In such an outrageous tempest as this was,
Such a dangerous gulf of the sea to pass ?
I think, verily, Neptune's mighty godship
Was angry with some that was in our ship ;
And, but for the honesty which in me he found,
I think for the others' sake we had been
drown 'd.
But fie on that servant which, for his master's
wealth,
Will stick for to hazard both his life and his
health !
My master Gawin Goodluck after me a day,
Because of the weather, thought best his ship
to stay ;
And now that I have the rough surges so well
passed,
God grant I may find all things safe here at
last.
Then will I think all my travail well spent.
Now, the first point wherefore my master hath
me sent
Is to salute dame Christian Custance, his wife
74 Ralph Roister Doister, Act IV., Sc. 2
Espoused, whom he tendreth no less than his
life.
I must see how it is with her, well or wrong ;
And whether for him she doth not now think
long.
Then to other friends I have a message or
tway ;
And then so to return and meet him on the
way.
Now will I go knock, that I may dispatch with
speed ;
But lo ! forth cometh herself happily indeed.
ACTUS IV., SC/ENA 2.
CHRISTIAN CUSTANCE. SIM. SURESBY.
Custance. I come to see if any more stirring
be here
But what stranger is this, which doth to me
appear ?
Suresby. I will speak to her. Dame, the
Lord you save and see !
Custance. What, friend Sim. Suresby?
Forsooth, right welcome ye be !
How doth mine own Gawin Goodluck, I pray
thee tell?
Suresby. When he knoweth of your health,
he will be perfect well.
Custance. If he have perfect health, I am
as I would be.
Suresby. Such news will please him well.
This is as it should be.
Custance. I think now long for him.
Suresby. And he as long for you.
Custance. When will he be at home?
Suresby. His heart is here e'en now;
Ralph Roister Doister, Act IV., Sc. 3 75
His body cometh after.
distance. I would see that fain.
Suresby. As fast as wind and sail can carry
it a-main.
But what two men are yond, coming hither-
wards?
Custance. Now I shrew their best Christ-
mas cheeks both togetherward.
ACTUS IV., SC^NA 3.
CHRISTIAN CUSTANCE. SIM. SURESBY. RALPH
ROISTER. MATTHEW MERRYGREEK. TRUE-
PENNY.
Custance. What mean these lewd fellows
thus to trouble me still?
Sim. Suresby here, perchance, shall thereof
deem some ill ;
And shall suspect in me some point of naughti-
ness,
And they come hitherward. [Aside.
Suresby. What is their business?
Custance. I have nought to them, nor they
to me, in sadness.
Suresby. Let us hearken them ; somewhat
there is, I fear it.
Roister. I will speak out aloud best, that
she may hear it.
Merry greek. Nay, alas ! ye may so fear her
out of her wit.
Roister. By the cross of my sword ! I will
hurt her no whit.
Merry greek. Will ye do no harm indeed?
Shall I trust your word?
Roister. By Roister Doister's faith ! I will
speak but in bord.
76 Ralph Roister Doister, Act IV., Sc. 3
Suresby. Let us hearken them ; somewhat
there is, I fear it.
Roister. I will speak out aloud, I care not
who hear it.
Sirs, see that my harness, my target and my
shield
Be made as bright now, as when I was last in
field:
As white, as I should to war again to-morrow ;
For sick shall I be, but I work some folk
sorrow.
Therefore, see that all shine as bright as Saint
George ;
Or, as doth a key, newly come from the smith's
forge.
I would have my sword and harness to shine
so bright,
That I might therewith dim mine enemies'
sight ;
I would have it cast beams as fast, I tell you
plain,
As doth the glitt'ring grass after a shower of
rain.
And see that, in case I should need to come
to arming,
All things may be ready at a minute's warn-
ing.
For such chance may chance in an hour do
ye hear?
Merrygreek. As perchance shall not chance
again in seven year.
Roister. Now, draw we near to her, and
hear what shall be said.
[Advances towards Custance.~\
Merrygreek. But I would not have you
make her too much afraid.
Ralph Roister Doister, Act IV., Sc. 3 77
Roister. Well found, sweet wife, (I trust)
for all this your sour look.
distance. Wife! Why call ye me wife?
Suresby (aside). Wife ! This gear goeth
a-crook.
Merrygreek. Nay, Mistress Custance, I
warrant you our letter
Is not as we read e'en now, but much better;
And where ye half stomached this gentleman
afore
For this same letter, ye will love him now
therefore ;
Nor it is not this letter, though ye were a
queen,
That should break marriage between you
twain, I ween.
Custance. I did not refuse him for the
letter's sake.
Roister. Then ye are content me for your
husband to take?
Custance. You for my husband to take !
Nothing less truly?
Roister. Yea, say so, sweet spouse ! afore
strangers hardily.
Merrygreek. And though I have here his
letter of love with me,
Yet his rings and tokens he sent keep safe with
ye.
Custance. A mischief take his tokens, and
him, and thee too !
But what prate I with fools? Have I nought
else to do?
Come in with me, Sim. Suresby, to take some
repast.
Suresby. I must, ere I drink, by your leave,
go in all haste
78 Ralph Roister Doister, Act IV., Sc. 3
To a place or two with earnest letters of his.
distance. Then come drink here with me.
Suresby. I thank you.
distance. Do not miss.
You shall have a token to your master with
you.
Suresby. No tokens this time, gramercies !
God be with you ! [Exeat.
Custance. Surely, this fellow misdeemeth
some ill in me ;
Which thing, but God help, will go near to
spill me.
Roister. Yea, farewell, fellow ! and tell thy
master Goodluck
That he cometh too late of this blossom to
pluck.
Let him keep him there still, or at least-wise
make no haste;
As for his labour hither he shall spend in
waste.
His betters be in place now.
Merrygreek [aside]. As long as it will hold.
distance (aside). I will be even with thee,
thou beast, thou may'st be bold.
Roister. Will ye have us then?
distance. 1 will never have thee !
Roister. Then will I have you !
distance. No, the devil shall have thee.
I have gotten, this hour, more shame and harm
by thee
Than all thy life-days thou canst do me
honesty.
Merrygreek [to Roister]. Why, now may ye
see what it com'th to in the end,
To make a deadly foe of your most loving
friend
Ralph Roister Doister, Act IV., Sc. 3 79
And i-wis this letter, if ye would hear it
now
Custance. I will hear none of it.
Merry greek [to distance]. In faith !
['t] would ravish you.
Custance. He hath stained my name for
ever, this is clear.
Roister. I can make all as well in an
hour
Merrygreek [aside]. As ten year
[To Custance] How say ye, will ye have him?
Custance. No.
Merrygreek. Will ye take him?
Custance. I defy him.
Merrygreek. At my word?
Custance. A shame take him !
Waste no more wind, for it will never be.
Merrygreek. This one fault with twain shall
be mended, ye shall see.
Gentle Mistress Custance now, good Mistress
Custance.
Honey Mistress Custance now, sweet Mistress
Custance.
Golden Mistress Custance now, white Mistress
Custance.
Silken Mistress Custance now, fair Mistress
Custance.
Custance. Faith ! rather than to marry with
such a doltish lout,
I would match myself with a beggar, out of
doubt.
Merrygreek. Then I can say no more; to
speed we are not like,
Except ye rap out a rag of your rhetoric.
Custance. Speak not of winning me; for it
shall never be so.
So Ralph Roister Doister, Act IV., Sc. 3
Roister. Yes, dame, I will have you,
whether ye will or no.
I command you to love me ! wherefore should
ye not?
Is not my love to you chafing and burning hot ?
Merry greek. To her ! that is well said.
Roister. Shall I so break my brain,
To doat upon you, and ye not love us again?
Merrygreek. Well said yet.
Custance. Go to, you goose.
Roister. I say, Kit Custance,
In case ye will not haze, well ; better yes, per-
chance.
Custance. Avaunt, losel ! pick thee hence !
Merrygreek. Well, sir, ye perceive,
For all your kind offer, she will not you
receive.
Roister. Then a straw for her, and a straw
for her again !
She shall not be my wife, would she never so
fain;
No, and though she would be at ten thousand
pound cost.
Merrygreek. Lo, dame ! ye may see what an
husband ye have lost.
Custance. Yea, no force; a jewel much
better lost than found.
Merrygreek. Ah ! ye will not believe how
this doth my heart wound.
How should a marriage between you be
toward,
If both parties draw back, and become so fro-
ward?
Roister [advancing threateningly to Cus-
tance]. Nay, dame, I will fire thee out of
thy house,
Ralph Roister Doister, Act IV., Sc. 3 81
And destroy thee and all thine, and that by and
by.
Merry greek. Nay, for the passion of God,
sir, do not so !
Roister. Yes, except she will say yea to
that she said no.
Custance. And what, be there no officers,
trow we, in town,
To check idle loiterers, bragging- up and
down?
Where be they by whom vagabonds should be
represt,
That poor silly widows might live in peace and
rest?
Shall I never rid thee out of my company?
I will call for help. What, ho ! come forth,
Truepenny !
Truepenny [entering]. Anon ! What is your
will, Mistress? Did ye call me?
Custance. Yea : go, run apace, and, as fast
as may be,
Pray Tristram Trusty, my most assured friend,
To be here by and by, that he may me defend !
Truepenny. That message so quickly shall
be done, by God's grace !
That at my return ye shall say, I went apace.
[Exeat.
Custance. Then shall we see, I trow,
whether ye shall do me harm.
Roister. Yes, in faith, Kit ! I shall thee
and thine so charm,
That all women incarnate by thee may beware.
Custance. Nay, as for charming me, come
hither if thou dare.
I shall clout thee till thou stink, both thee and
thy train,
UDALL G
82 Ralph Roister Doister, Act IV., Sc. 4
And coil thee mine own hands, and send thee
home again.
Roister. Yea, say'st thou me that, dame?
Dost thou me threaten?
Go we, I will see whether I shall be beaten.
Merry greek. Nay, for the paishe of God !
let me now treat peace;
For bloodshed will there be, in case this strife
increase.
Ah, good dame Custance, take better way with
you !
Custance. Let him do his worst !
Merrygreek [to Custance as Roister advances
to strike her]. Yield in time.
Roister [to Merrygreek as he is beaten back
by Custance]. Come hence, thou !
[Exeant Roister and Merrygreek.
ACTUS IV., SC^NA 4.
CHRISTIAN CUSTANCE. ANNOT ALYFACE. TIBET
TALKAPACE. MADGE MUMBLECRUST.
Custance. So, sirrah 1 If I should not with
him take this way,
I should not be rid of him, I think, till doom's
day.
I will call forth my folks, that without any
mocks,
If he come again, we may give him raps and
knocks.
Madge Mumblecrust, come forth ! and Tibet
Talkapace !
Yea, and come forth too, Mistress Annot Aly-
f ace !
Alyface. I come.
Talkapace. And I am here.
Ralph Roister Doister, Act IV., Sc. 4 83
Mumblecrust. And I am here too, at length.
Custance. Like warriors, if need be, ye
must show your strength.
The man that this day hath thus beguiled you
Is Ralph Roister Doister, whom ye know well
enou ' ;
The most lout and dastard that ever on ground
trod.
Talkapace. I see all folk mock him, when
he goeth abroad.
Custance. What, pretty maid? will ye talk
when I speak?
Talkapace. No, forsooth, good mistress !
Custance. Will ye my tale break?
He threateneth to come hither with all his
force to fight ;
I charge you, if he come : on him with all your
might !
Mumblecrust. I with my distaff will reach
him one rap.
Talkapace. And I with my new broom will
sweep him one swap;
And then with our great club I will reach him
one rap
Alyface. And I with our skimmer will fling
him one flap.
Talkapace. Then Truepenny's fire-fork will
him shrewdly fray :
And you with the spit may drive him quite
away.
Custance. Go, make all ready, that it may
be e'en so.
Talkapace. For my part, I shrew them that
last about it go. [Exeant.
c 2
84 Ralph Roister Doister, Act IV., Sc. 5
ACTUS IV., SCLENA 5.
CHRISTIAN CUSTANCE. TRUEPENNY. TRISTRAM
TRUSTY.
Custance. Truepenny did promise me to
run a great pace,
My friend Tristram Trusty to set into this
place.
Indeed, he dwelleth hence a good start, I con-
fess;
But yet a quick messenger might twice since,
as I guess,
Have gone and come again. Ah ! yond I spy
him now.
Truepenny (to Trusty). Ye are a slow goer,
sir, I make God a vow !
My Mistress Custance will in me put all the
blame ;
Your legs be longer than mine : come apace,
for shame !
Custance. I can thee thank, Truepenny ;
thou hast done right well.
Truepenny. Mistress, since I went, no grass
hath grown on my heel :
But Master Tristram Trusty here maketh no
speed.
Custance. That he came at all, I thank him
in very deed ;
For now have I need of the help of some wise
man.
Trusty. Then may I be gone again, for none
such I am.
Truepenny. Ye may be by your going; for
no Alderman
Can go, I dare say, a sadder pace than ye can.
Ralph Roister Doister, Act IV., Sc. 5 85
distance. Truepenny, get thee in ! thou
shalt among- them know
How to use thyself like a proper man, I
trow !
Truepenny. I go. [Exit.
Custance. Now, Tristram Trusty, I thank
you right much ;
For at my first sending to come ye never
grutch.
Trusty. Dame Custance, God ye save ! and
while my life shall last,
For my friend Goodluck's sake ye shall not
send in waste.
Custance. He shall give you thanks.
Trusty. I will do much for his sake !
Custance. But alack ! I fear great dis-
pleasure shall he take.
Trusty. Wherefore?
Custance. For a foolish matter.
Trusty. What is your cause?
Custance. I am ill accumbred with a couple
of daws.
Trusty. Nay, weep not, woman ! but tell
me what your cause is
As concerning my friend is anything amiss?
Custance. No, not on my part ; but here was
Sim. Suresby
Trusty. He was with me, and told me so.
Custance. And he stood by
While Ralph Roister Doister, with help of
Merrygreek,
For promise of marriage did unto me seek.
Trusty. And had ye made any promise
before them twain?
Custance. No ! I had rather be torn in pieces
and Haiti !
86 Ralph Roister Doister, Act IV., Sc. 5
No man hath my faith and troth but Gawin
Goodluck ;
And that before Suresby did I say, and there
stuck
But of certain letters there were such words
spoken
Trusty. He told me that too.
Custance. And of a ring and token ;
That Suresby, I spied, did more than half
suspect
That I my faith to Gawin Goodluck did reject.
Trusty. But there was no such matter,
Dame Custance, indeed ?
Custance. If ever my head thought it, God
send me ill speed !
Wherefore, I beseech you, with me to be a
witness,
That in all my life I never intended thing less.
And what a brainsick fool Ralph Roister
Doister is,
Yourself knows well enough.
Trusty. Ye say full true, i-wis.
Custance. Because to be his wife I ne grant
nor apply ;
Hither will he come, he sweareth, by and by,
To kill both me and mine, and beat down my
house flat;
Therefore I pray your aid.
Trusty. I warrant you that !
Custance. Have I so many years lived a
sober life,
And showed myself honest maid, widow, and
wife
And now to be abused in such a vile sort?
Lo see how poor widows live, all void of com-
fort !
Ralph Roister Doister, Act IV., Sc. 6 87
Trusty. I warrant him do you no harm nor
wrong at all.
Custance. No, but Matthew Merrygreek
doth me most appal
That he would join himself with such a
wretched lout.
Trusty. He doth it for a jest, I know him
out of doubt.
And here cometh Merrygreek.
Custance. Then shall we hear his mind.
ACTUS IV., SC^NA 6.
MERRYGREEK. CHRISTIAN CUSTANCE.
TRIST[RAM] TRUSTY.
Merrygreek. Custance and Trusty both, I
do you here well find.
Custance. Ah ! Matthew Merrygreek, ye
have used me well !
Merrygreek. Now, for altogether, ye must
your answer tell
Will ye have this man, woman ! or else will ye
not?
Else will he come, never boar so brim, nor toast
so hot.
Custance. But why join ye with him?
Trusty. For mirth?
Custance. Or else in sadness?
Merrygreek. The more fond of you both !
hardily the matter guess !
Trusty. Lo ! how say ye, dame?
Merry. Why, do ye think, dame Custance,
That in this wooing I have meant ought but
pastance?
Custance. Much things ye spake, I wot, to
maintain his dotage.
88
Ralph Roister Doister, Act IV., Sc. 6
Merrygreek. But well might ye judge, I
spake it all in mockage ;
For why? is Roister Doister a fit husband for
you?
Trusty. 1 dare say ye never thought it.
Merrygreek. No, to God I vow !
And did not I know afore of the insurance
Between Gawin Goodluck and Christian Cus-
tance?
And did not I for the nonce, by my conveyance,
Read his letter in a wrong sense for
dalliance?
That if you could have take it up at the first
bound,
We should thereat such a sport and pastime
have found,
That all the whole town should have been the
merrier.
distance. Ill ache your heads both ! I was
never wearier,
Nor never more vexed since the first day I was
born.
Trusty. But very well I wist, he here did
all in scorn.
Custanc'e. But I feared thereof to take dis-
honesty.
Merrygreek. This should both have made
sport, and showed your honesty ;
And Goodluck, I dare swear, your wit therein
would 'low.
Trusty. Yea, being no worse than we know
it to be now.
Merrygreek. And nothing yet too late : for,
when I come to him,
Hither will he repair with a sheep's look full
grim,
Ralph Roister Doister, Act IV., Sc. 6 89
By plain force and violence to drive you to
yield.
distance. If ye two bid me, we will with
him pitch a field,
I and my maids together.
Merry greek. Let us see ; be bold !
distance. Ye shall see women's war.
Trusty. That fight will I behold.
Merrygreek. If occasion serve, taking his
part full brim,
I will strike at you, but the rap shall light on
him.
When we first appear
Custance. Then will I run away,
As though I were afeard.
Trusty. Do you that part well play,
And I will sue for peace.
Merry. And I will set him on ;
Then will he look as fierce as a Cotsold lion.
Trusty. But when goest thou for him?
Merry. That do I very now.
Custance. Ye shall find us here.
Merrygreek. Well, God have mercy on you.
[Exit.
Trusty. There is no cause of fear ; the least
boy in the street
Custance. Nay, the least girl I have, will
make him take his feet.
But, hark ! me-think they make preparation.
Trusty. No force, it will be a good recrea-
tion.
Custance. I will stand within, and step forth
speedily,
And so make as though I ran away dreadfully.
90 Ralph Roister Doister, Act IV., Sc. 7
ACTUS IV., SC^NA 7.
R. ROISTER. M. MERRYGREEK. C. CUSTANCE.
D. DOUGHTY. HARPAX. TRISTRAM TRUSTY.
Roister. Now, sirs, keep your 'ray, and see
your hearts be stout.
But where be these caitiffs? Me-think they
dare not rout.
How sayest thou, Merrygreek? What doth
Kit Custance say?
Merrygreek. I am loth to tell you.
Roister. Tush, speak, man ! Yea or nay?
Merrygreek. Forsooth, sir ! I have spoken
for you all that I can ;
But if ye win her, ye must e''en play the man :
E'en to fight it out ye must a man's heart take.
Roister. Yes, they shall know, and thou
knowest, I have a stomach.
Merrygreek. A stomach (quod you)? yea, as
good as e'er man had.
Roister. 1 trow, they shall find and feel that
I am a lad.
Merrygreek. By this cross, I have seen you
eat your meat as well
As any that e'er I have seen of, or heard tell.
A stomach, quod you? He that will that deny,
I know was never at dinner in your company.
Roister. Nay, the stomach of a man it is
that I mean.
Merrygreek. Nay, the stomach of an horse
or a dog, I ween.
Roister. Nay, a man's stomach with a
weapon, mean I.
Merrygreek. Ten men can scarce match
you with a spoon in a pie.
Ralph Roister Doister, Act IV., Sc. 7 91
Roister. Nay, the stomach of a man to try
in strife.
Merrygreek. I never saw your stomach
cloyed yet in my life.
Roister. Tush ! I mean in strife or fighting
to try.
Merrygreek. We shall see how ye will strike
now, being angry.
Roister [strikes Merrygreek^. Have at thy
pate then, and save thy head, if thou may.
Merrygreek [strikes back at Roister']. Nay,
then, have at your pate again, by this day !
Roister. Nay, thou mayest not strike at me
again in no wise.
Merrygreek. I cannot in fight make to you
such warrantise;
But as for your foes here let them the bargain
by.
Roister. Nay, as for they, shall every
mother's child die.
And in this my fume a little thing might make
me
To beat down house and all, and else the devil
take me !
Merrygreek. If I were as ye be, by Gog's
dear mother !
I would not leave one stone upon another
Though she would redeem it with twenty
thousand pounds.
Roister. It shall be even so, by his lily
wounds !
Merrygreek. Be not at one with her upon
any amends.
Roister. No, though she make to me never
so many friends.
Nor if all the world for her would undertake
92 Ralph Roister Doister, Act IV., Sc. 7
No, not God himself neither shall not her
peace make.
On therefore, march forward soft, stay a
while yet !
Merrygreek. On !
Roister. Tarry !
Merrygreek. Forth !
Roister. Back !
Merrygreek. On !
Roister. Soft ! Now forward set ! [they
march against the house.]
Enter C. Custance.
Custance. What business have we here?
Out ! alas, alas ! [retires for fun]
Roister. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha !
Didst thou see that, Merrygreek? how afraid
she was?
Didst thou see how she fled apace out of my
sight?
Ah, good sweet Custance ! I pity her, by this
light !
Merrygreek. That tender heart of yours will
mar altogether ;
Thus will ye be turned with wagging of a
feather.
Roister. On, sirs, keep your 'ray !
Merrygreek. On forth ! while this gear is
hot.
Roister. Soft, the Arms of Calais ! I have
one thing forgot.
Merrygreek. What lack we now?
Roister. Retire, or else we be all slain.
Merrygreek. Back, for the pash of God !
back, sirs, back again !
What is the great matter?
Ralph Roister Doister, Act IV., Sc. 7 93
Roister. This hasty forth-going
Had almost brought us all to utter undoing;
It made me forget a thing most necessary.
Merry greek. Well remembered of a captain,
by Saint Mary !
Roister. It is a thing must be had.
Merrygreek. Let us have it then.
Roister. But I wot not where nor how.
Merrygreek. Then wot not I when.
But what is it?
Roister. Of a chief thing I am to seek.
Merrygreek. Tut ! so will ye be, when ye
have studied a week. [A side.
But tell me what it is?
Roister. I lack yet an headpiece.
Merrygreek. The kitchen collocavit, the best
hens to grease ;
Run, fet it, Dobinet ! and come at once withal;
And bring with thee my potgun, hanging by the
wall. [Doughty goes.]
I have seen your head with it, full many a
time,
Covered as safe as it had been with a scrine;
And I warrant it save your head from any
stroke,
Except perchance to be amazed with the
smoke ;
I warrant your head therewith, except for the
mist,
As safe as if it were fast locked up in a chist.
[Doughty returns.]
And lo, here our Dobinet cometh with it now.
Doughty. It will cover me to the shoulders
well enou'.
Merrygreek. Let me see it on.
Roister. In faith ! it doth meetly well.
94 Ralph Roister Doister, Act IV., Sc. 7
Merrygreek. There can be no fitter thing.
Now ye must us tell
What to do.
Roister. Now forth in 'ray, sirs, and stop
no more.
Merrygreek. Now, Saint George to borrow 1
Drum, dub-a-dub afore ! [Trusty enters.]
Trusty. What mean you to do, sir? Com-
mit manslaughter?
Roister. To kill forty such is a matter of
laughter.
Trusty. And who is it, sir, whom ye intend
thus to spill?
Roister. Foolish Custance here forceth me
against my will.
Trusty. And is there no mean your extreme
wrath to slake?
She shall some amends unto your good maship
make.
Roister. 1 will none amends.
Trusty. Is her offence so sore?
Merrygreek. And he were a lout she could
have done no more.
She hath call'd him fool, and 'dressed him like
a fool,
Mocked him like a fool, used him like a fool.
Trusty. Well, yet the Sheriff, the Justice or
Constable,
Her misdemeanour to punish might be able.
Roister. No, sir, I mine own self will, in
this present cause,
Be Sheriff and Justice, and whole Judge of the
laws.
This matter to amend all officers be I shall :
Constable, Bailiff, Sergeant
Merrygreek. And hangman, and all !
Ralph Roister Doister, Act IV., Sc. 7 95
[Aside.
Trusty. Yet a noble courage and the heart
of a man
Should more honour win by bearing with a
woman.
Therefore take the law, and let her answer
thereto.
Roister. Merrygreek, the best way were
even so to do.
What honour should it be with a woman to
fight?
Merrygreek. And what, then, will ye thus
forego and lese your right?
Roister. Nay, I will take the law on her
withouten grace.
Trusty. Or, if your maship could pardon
this one trespass
I pray you, forgive her.
Roister. Hoh !
Merrygreek. Tush, tush, sir, do not !
Trusty. Be good, master, to her !
Roister. Hoh !
Merrygreek. Tush, I say, do not !
And what ! shall your people here return
straight home?
Trusty. Yea, levy the camp, sirs, and hence
again each one.
Roister. But be still in readiness, if I hap to
call;
I cannot tell what sudden chance may befall.
Merrygreek. Do not off your harness, sirs,
I you advise
At the least for this fortnight, in no manner
wise.
Perchance in an hour, when all ye think least,
Our master's appetite to fight will be best.
96 Ralph Roister Doister, Act IV., Sc. 8
But soft, ere ye go, have once at distance'
house.
Roister. Soft, what wilt thou do?
Merry greek. Once discharge my arquebus ;
And for my heart's ease, have once more with
my potgun.
Roister. Hold thy hands ! else is all our
purpose clean fordone.
Merry greek. And it cost me my life !
Roister. 1 say, thou shalt not.
Merrygreek [in mock assault]. By the matt,
but I will ! Have once more with hail-shot !
I will have some pennyworth ; I will not lese
all.
ACTUS IV., SC^ENAS.
M. MERRYGREEK. C. CUSTANCE. R. ROISTER.
TIB. TALKAPACE. AN. ALYFACE. M.
MUMBLECRUST. TRUEPENNY. DOBINET
DOUGHTY. HARPAX.
Two drums with their Ensigns.
Custance. What caitiffs are those, that so
shake my house wall?
Merrygreek. Ah, sirrah ! now Custance, if
ye had so much wit,
I would see you ask pardon, and yourselves
submit.
Custance. Have I still this ado with a couple
of fools?
Merrygreek. Hear ye what she saith?
Custance. Maidens, come forth with your
tools !
Roister. In a 'ray !
Merrygreek. Dubba-dub, sirrah !
Roister. In a 'ray !
Ralph Roister Doister, Act IV., Sc. 8 97
They come suddenly on us.
Merry greek. Dub-a-dub-dub !
Roister. In a 'ray !
That ever I was born ! we are taken tardy.
Merrygreek. Now, sirs, quit yourselves like
tall men and hardy.
distance. On afore, Truepenny ! Hold thine
own, Annot !
On toward them, Tibet, for 'scape us they
cannot !
Come forth, Madge Mumblecrust ! so, stand
fast together.
Merrygreek. God send us a fair day !
Roister. See, they march on hither.
Talkapace. But, mistress
Custance. What say'st thou?
Talkapace. Shall I go fet our goose?
Custance. What to do?
Talkapace. To yonder Captain I will turn
her loose.
And she gape and hiss at him, as she doth at
me,
I durst jeopard my hand she will make him flee.
Custance. On forward !
Roister. They come.
Merrygreek. Stand !
Roister. Hold !
Merrygreek. Keep !
Roister. There !
Merrygreek. Strike !
Roister. Take heed !
Custance. Well said, Truepenny !
Truepenny. Ah, whoresons !
Custance. Well done, indeed !
Merrygreek. Hold thine own, Harpax !
Down with them, Dobinet !
UDALL H
98 Ralph Roister Doister, Act IV., Sc. 8
distance. Now, Madge; there, Annot; now
stick them, Tibet !
Talkapace [against Doughty]. All my chief
quarrel is to this same little knave,
That beguiled me last day; nothing shall him
save.
Doughty. Down with this little quean, that
hath at me such spite !
Save you from her, master ! it is a very sprite.
Custance. I myself will mounsire graunde
captain undertake.
[Advances against Roister.]
Roister. They win ground !
Merry greek. Save yourself, sir, for God's
sake !
Roister [retiring, beaten]. Out, alas ! I am
slain ; help !
Merry greek. Save yourself !
Roister. Alas !
Merrygreek. Nay, then, have at you,
mistress !
Roister. Thou hittest me, alas !
Merrygreek [pretending to strike Custance,
he hits Roister]. I will strike at Custance
here [again hitting at Roister].
Roister. Thou hittest me !
Merrygreek (aside). So I will.
Nay, mistress Custance.
Roister. Alas ! thou hittest me still.
Hold !
Merrygreek. Save yourself, sir !
Roister. Help ! out alas ! I am slain.
Merrygreek. Truce, hold your hands ! truce,
for a pissing while or twain.
Nay, how say you, Custance, for saving of
your life,
Ralph Roister Doister, Act IV., Sc. 8 99
Will ye yield, and grant to be this gentleman's
wife?
distance. Ye told me he loved me; call ye
this love?
Merry greek. He loved a while, even like a
turtle-dove.
Custance. Gay love, God save it ! so soon
hot, so soon cold !
Merry greek. I am sorry for you : he could
love you yet, so he could.
Roister. Nay, by Cock's precious ! she
shall be none of mine.
Merry greek. Why so?
Roister. Come away, by the matt, she is
mankine.
I durst adventure the loss of my right hand.
If she did not slee her other husband.
And see, if she prepare not again to fight !
Merry greek. What then? Saint George to
borrow, our Lady's knight !
Roister. Slee else whom she will, by Gog !
she shall not slee me.
Merry greek. How then?
Roister. Rather than to be slain, I will
flee.
Custance. To it again, my knightesses !
down with them all !
Roister. Away, away, away ! she will else
kill us all.
Merry greek. Nay, stick to it, like an hardy
man and a tall.
Roister. O bones, thou hittest me ! Away,
or else die we shall.
Merrygreek. Away, for the pash of our
sweet Lord Jesus Christ !
H 2
ioo Ralph Roister Doister, Act V., Sc. i
distance. Away, lout and lubber, or I shall
be thy priest !
[Exeant Roister and his friends.]
So this field is ours; we have driven them all
away.
Talkapace. Thanks to God, mistress, ye
have had a fair day.
Custance. Well, now go ye in, and make
yourself some good cheer.
Omnes Pariter. We go.
[Exeant distance's amazons.]
Trusty. Ah, sir ! what a field we have had
here.
Custance. Friend Tristram I I pray you be
a witness with me.
Trusty. Dame Custance ! I shall depose for
your honesty.
And now fare ye well, except something else
ye would.
Custance. Not now, but when I need to
send, I will be bold.
I thank you for these pains. [Exeat Trusty.]
And now I will get me in.
Now Roister Doister will no more wooing
begin. [Ex.
ACTUS V., SC/ENA i.
GAWIN GOODLUCK. SIM. SURESBY.
Goodluck. Sim. Suresby, my trusty man,
now advise thee well,
And see that no false surmises thou me tell.
Was there such ado about Custance, of a
truth?
Suresby. To report that I heard and saw
to me is ruth;
Ralph Roister Doister, Act V., Sc. i 101
But both my duty, and name, and property,
Warneth me to you to show fidelity.
It may be well enough, and I wish it so to be.
She may herself discharge, and try her
honesty ;
Yet their claim to her, me-thought, was very
large,
For with letters, rings, and tokens they did
her charge.
Which when I heard and saw, I would none to
you bring.
Goodluck. No, by Saint Mary ! I allow thee
in that thing.
Ah sirrah ! now I see truth in the proverb old :
All things that shineth is not by and by pure
gold.
If any do live a woman of honesty,
I would have sworn Christian Custance had
been she.
Suresby. Sir, though I to you be a servant
true and just,
Yet do not ye therefore your faithful spouse
mistrust ;
But examine the matter, and if ye shall it find
To be all well, be not ye for my words unkind.
Goodluck. I shall do that is right, and as
I see cause why
But here cometh Custance forth ; we shall
know by and by.
102 Ralph Roister Doister, Act V., Sc. 2
ACTUS V., SC/ENA 2.
C. CUSTANCE. GAWIN GOODLUCK.
SlM. SURESBY.
distance. I come forth to see and hearken
for news good ;
For about this hour is the time, of likelihood,
That Gawin Goodluck, by the sayings of
Suresby,
Would be at home ; and lo ! yond I see him, I 1
What, Gawin Goodluck ! the only hope of my
life,
Welcome home, and kiss me your true es-
poused wife.
Goodluck. Nay, soft, dame Custance ! I
must first, by your licence,
See whether all things be clear in your con-
science.
I hear of your doings to me very strange.
Custance. What ! fear ye that my faith to-
wards you should change?
Goodluck. I must needs mistrust ye be else-
where entangled,
For I hear that certain men with you have
wrangled
About the promise of marriage by you to them
made.
Custance. Could any man's report therein
your mind persuade?
Goodluck. Well, you must therein declare
yourself to stand clear,
Else I and you, dame Custance, may not join
this year.
Custance. Then would I were dead, and
fair laid in my grave.
Ralph Roister Doister, Act V., Sc. 2 103
Ah ! Suresby, is this the honesty that ye have,
To hurt me with your report, not knowing the
thing ?
Suresby. If ye be honest, my words can
hurt you nothing;
But what I heard and saw, I might not but
report.
distance. Ah, Lord, help poor widows,
destitute of comfort !
Truly, most dear spouse, nought was done but
for pastance.
Goodluck. But such kind of sporting is
homely dalliance.
Custance. If ye knew the truth, ye would
take all in good part.
Goodluck. By your leave, I am not half
well-skilled in that art.
Custance. It was none but Roister Doister,
that foolish mome.
Goodluck. Yea, Custance, better (they say)
a bad scuse than none.
Custance. Why, Tristram Trusty, sir, your
true and faithful friend,
Was privy both to the beginning and the end.
Let him be the judge, and for me testify.
Goodluck. I will the more credit that he
shall verify;
And because I will the truth know, e'en as it is,
I will to him myself, and know all without
miss.
Come on, Sim. Suresby, that before my friend
thou may
Avouch the same words, which thou did'st to
me say. [Exeant.
104 Ralph Roister Doister, Act V., Sc. 3
ACTUS V., SC/ENA 3.
CHRISTIAN CUSTANCE.
Custance. O Lord ! how necessary it is now
of days,
That each body live uprightly all manner ways ;
For let never so little a gap be open,
And be sure of this, the worst shall be spoken.
How innocent stand I in this for deed or
thought !
And yet see what mistrust towards me it hath
wrought !
But thou, Lord, knowest all folks' thoughts,
and eke intents;
And thou art the deliverer of all innocents.
Thou didst help the advoutress, that she might
be amended ;
Much more then help, Lord, that never ill
intended.
Thou didst help Susanna, wrongfully accused,
And no less dost thou see, Lord, how I am now
abused.
Thou didst help Hester, when she should have
died;
Help also, good Lord, that my truth may be
tried.
Yet, if Gawin Goodluck with Tristram Trusty
speak,
I trust of ill-report the force shall be but weak ;
And lo ! yond they come, sadly talking
together
I will abide, and not shrink for their coming
hither.
Ralph Roister Doister, Act V., Sc. 4 105
ACTUS V., SC^NA 4.
GAWIN GOODLUCK. TRISTRAM TRUSTY.
C. CUSTANCE. SlM. SURESBY.
Goodluck. And was it none other than ye
to me report?
Trusty. No; and here were [ye] wished, to
have seen the sport.
Goodluck. Would I had, rather than half
of that in my purse.
Suresby. And I do much rejoice the matter
was no worse.
And like as to open it I was to you faithful,
So of Dame Custance honest truth I am joyful.
For God forfend that I should hurt her by false
report.
Goodluck. Well, I will no longer hold her
in discomfort.
[They draiv near to Custance.]
Custance [apart]. Now come they hither-
ward : I trust all shall be well.
[They meet.]
Goodluck. Sweet Custance, neither heart
can think, nor tongue tell,
How much I joy in your constant fidelity.
Come now, kiss me, thee, pearl of perfect
honesty !
Custance. God let me no longer to continue
in life,
Than I shall towards you continue a true wife.
Goodluck. Well, now to make you for this
some part of amends,
I shall desire first you, and then such of our
friends
As shall to you seem best, to sup at home with
me.
io6 Ralph Roister Doister, Act V., Sc. 5
Where at your fought field we shall laugh and
merry be.
Suresby. And, mistress, I beseech you take
with me no grief
I did a true man's part, not wishing your re-
preef.
Custance. Though hasty reports, through
surmises growing,
May of poor innocents be utter overthrowing;
Yet because to thy master thou hast a true
heart,
And I know mine own truth, I forgive thee for
my part.
Goodluck. Go we all to my house; and, of
this gear, no more !
Go, prepare all things, Sim. Suresby ! hence,
run afore !
Suresby. 1 go. [Ex.
Goodluck. But who cometh yond? Master
Merrygreek ?
Custance. Roister Doister's champion; I
shrew his best cheek.
Trusty. Roister Doister's self, your wooer,
is with him too.
Surely some thing there is with us they have to
do.
ACTUS V., SC^NA 5.
M. MERRYGREEK. RALPH ROISTER [to them].
GAVVIN GOODLUCK. TRISTRAM TRUSTY.
C. CUSTANCE.
Merrygreek. Yonder I see Gawin Goodluck,
to whom lieth my message.
I will first salute him after his long voyage,
And then make all things well concerning your
behalf.
Ralph Roister Doister, Act V., Sc. 5 107
Roister. Yea, for the pash of God !
Merrygreek. Hence ! out of sight, ye calf !
Till I have spoken with them, and then I will
you fet
Roister. In God's name. [Exit.]
Merrygreek. What, master Gawin Good-
luck, well met !
And from your long voyage I bid you right
welcome home.
Goodluck. I thank you.
Merrygreek. I come to you from an honest
mome.
Goodluck. Who is that?
Merrygreek. Roister Doister, that doughty
kite.
Custance. Fie ! I can scarce abide ye should
his name recite.
Merrygreek. Ye must take him to favour,
and pardon all past;
He heareth of your return, and is full ill aghast.
Goodluck. I am right well content he have
with us some cheer.
Custance. Fie upon him, beast ! then will
not I be there.
Goodluck. Why, Custance, do ye hate him
more than ye love me?
Custance. But for your mind, sir, where he
were, would I not be.
Trusty. He would make us all laugh.
Merrygreek. Ye ne'er had better sport.
Goodluck. I pray you, sweet Custance, let
him to us resort.
Custance. To your will I assent.
Merrygreek. Why, such a fool it is,
As no man for good pastime would forego or
miss.
io8 Ralph Roister Doister, Act V., Sc. 6
Goodluck. Fet him to go with us.
Merrygreek. He will be a glad man. [Ex.
Trusty. We must, to make us mirth, main-
tain him all we can.
And lo ! yond he cometh, and Merrygreek with
him.
Custance. At his first entrance, ye shall see
I will him trim.
But first let us hearken the gentleman's wise
talk.
Trusty. I pray you, mark, if ever ye saw
crane so stalk.
ACTUS V., SC^ENA 6.
R. ROISTER. M. MERRYGREEK. C. CUSTANCE.
G. GOODLUCK. T. TRUSTY. D. DOUGHTY.
HARPAX.
Roister. May I then be bold?
Merrygreek. I warrant you on my word.
They say they shall be sick, but ye be at their
board.
Roister. They were not angry, then?
Merrygreek. Yes, at first, and made
strange ;
But when I said your anger to favour should
change,
And therewith had commended you accord-
ingly,
They were all in love with your maship by and
by;
And cried you mercy, that they had done you
wrong.
Roister. For why? no man, woman, nor
child can hate me long.
Ralph Roister Doister, Act V., Sc. 6 109
Merry greek. We fear (quod they) he will be
avenged one day ;
Then for a penny give all our lives we may.
Roister. Said they so indeed?
Merry greek. Did they? yea, even with one
voice.
He will forgive all (quod I). O, how they did
rejoice !
Roister. Ha, ha, ha !
Merrygreek. Go fet him (say they), while
he is in good mood ;
For have his anger who lust, we will not, by
the rood I
Roister. I pray God that it be all true, that
thou hast me told,
And that she fight no more.
Merrygreek. I warrant you; be bold
To them, and salute them. [Roister advances.]
Roister. Sirs, I greet you all well.
Omnes. Your mastership is welcome.
distance. Saving my quarrel,
For sure I will put you up into the Exchequer.
Merrygreek. Why so? Better nay. Where-
fore?
Custance. For an usurer.
Roister. I am no usurer, good mistress, by
His arms !
Merrygreek. When took he gain of money
to any man's harms?
Custance. Yes, a foul usurer he is, ye shall
see else
Roister. Did'st not thou promise she would
pick no mo quarrels?
[Aside to Merrygreek.^
Custance. He will lend no blows, but he
have in recompense
no Ralph Roister Doister, Act V., Sc. 6
Fifteen for one, which is too much of con-
science.
Roister. Ah dame ! by the ancient law of
arms, a man
Hath no honour to foil his hands on a woman.
distance. And where other usurers take
their gains yearly,
This man is angry, but he have his by and by.
Goodluck. Sir, do not for her sake bear me
your displeasure.
Merrygreek. Well, he shall with you talk
thereof more at leisure.
Upon your good usage he will now shake your
hand.
Roister. And much heartily welcome from
a strange land.
Merrygreek. Be not afeard, Gawin, to let
him shake your fist.
Goodluck. O, the most honest gentleman
that e'er I wist.
I do beseech your maship to take pain to sup
with us.
Merrygreek. He shall not say you nay,
(and I too by Jesus !)
Because ye shall be friends, and let all quarrels
pass.
Roister. I will be as good friends with
them as e'er I was.
Merrygreek. Then, let me fet your quire,
that we may have a song.
Roister. Go.
Goodluck. I have heard no melody all this
year long.
Merrygreek [to the musicians whom he has
called in]. Come on, sirs, quickly !
Roister. Sing on, sirs, for my friend *s sake !
Ralph Roister Doister, Act V., Sc. 6 in
Doughty. Call ye these your friends?
Roister. Sing on, and no mo words make.
[Here they sing.
Goodluck. The Lord preserve our most
noble Queen of renown,
And her virtues reward with the heavenly
crown.
Custance. The Lord strengthen her most
excellent Majesty,
Long to reign over us in all prosperity.
Trusty. That her godly proceedings, the
faith to defend,
He may stablish and maintain through to the
end.
Merrygreek. God grant her, as she doth,
the Gospel to protect,
Learning and virtue to advance, and vice to
correct.
Roister. God grant her loving subjects both
the mind and grace
Her most godly proceedings worthily to em-
brace.
Harpax. Her highness most worthy coun-
cillors God prosper,
With honour and love of all men to minister.
Omnes. God grant the nobility her to serve
and love,
With all the common'ty, as doth them behove !
AMEN.
Certain songs to be sung by those which
shall use this Comedy or Interlude.
The Second Song.
[This in the original given here at the end
112 Ralph Roister Doister, Act V., Sc. 6
of the play will now be found on pp. 31-2 in its
apparently proper place.]
The Fourth Song.
[See note supra and p. 59.]
The Psalmody.
[This because of variations and additions
more fittingly finds place here as in the orignal :
cf. text pp. 53-4.]
Placebo dilexi.
Master Roister Doister will straight go home
and die,
Our Lord Jesus Christ his soul have mercy
upon:
Thus you see, to-day a man, to-morrow John.
Yet, saving for a woman's extreme cruelty,
He might have lived yet a month, or two, or
three;
But in spite of Custance, which hath him
wearied,
His maship shall be worshipfully buried.
And while some piece of his soul is yet him
within,
Some part of his funeral let us here begin.
Dirige. He will go darkling to his grave;
Neque lux, neque crux, nisi solum clink;
Never genman so went toward heaven, I think.
Yet, sirs, as ye will the bliss of heaven win,
When he cometh to the grave, lay him softly
in;
And all men take heed by this one gentleman,
How you set your love upon an unkind woman;
For these women be all such mad peevish elves,
They will not be won, except it please them-
selves.
Ralph Roister Doister, Act V., Sc. 6 113
But, in faith, Custance, if ever ye come in hell,
Master Roister Doister shall serve you as well.
Good night, Roger, old knave; farewell, Roger,
old knave;
Good night, Roger, old knave; knave, knap.
Ne quando. Audivi vocem. Requiem ceternam.
[For a Note on EzecMas and other lost plays by Nicholas
Udall, see Note-book, s.v. Udall.]
UDALL
A NOTE-BOOK AND
WORD-LIST
INCLUDING
CONTEMPORARY REFERENCES, BIBLIOGRAPHY,
VARIORUM READINGS, NOTES, &c., together
with a GLOSSARY OF WORDS AND PHRASES
now Archaic or Obsolete ; the whole
arranged in ONE ALPHABET IN DICTIONARY
FORM.
1 2
A FOREWORD TO NOTE-
BOOK AND WORD-LIST
Reference from text to Note-Book is copious, and as
complete as may be ; so also, conversely, from Note-Book
to text. The following pages may, with almost absolute
certainty, be consulted on any point that may occur in
the course of reading; but more especially as regards
Biographical and other Notes,
Contemporary References to Author and Plays,
Bibliography,
Variorum Readings,
Words and Phrases, now Obsolete or Archaic.
The scheme of reference from Note-Book to text as-
sumes the division, in the mind's eye, of each page into
four horizontal sections; which, beginning at the top,
are indicated in the Note-Book by the letters a, b, c, d
following the page figure. In practice this will be found
easy, and an enormous help to the eye over the usual
reference to page alone in "fixing" the "catchword."
Thus i26a = the first quarter of Page 126; 4oc = t/ie third
quarter of page 40 ; and so forth.
[NOTE. My acknowledgments are due to Professor
C. Miles Gayley (Representative English Comedies), to
Professor Williams (Temple Classics and Englische
Studien), to W. C. Hazlitt (Dodsley's Old Plays), to
Professor J. W. Hales (The Age of Transition) and
others in respect to various hints, suggestions, and
criticisms which have been of service generally in the
preparation of the following " Note-Book and Word-
List "; in some instances I have thought it only right
to make a direct and special acknowledgment.]. S. F.]
NOTE-BOOK AND WORD-LIST
TO RALPH ROISTER DOISTER
BY NICHOLAS UDALL
A, " this foolish a love " (lob), here used to lengthen the
line. " Here we will abide-a. " Nice Wanton
(E.E.D.S.), 960 (1560).
ABY, " full truly aby thou shalt " (430), pay for, expiate ;
also abi and abye. " I abye, I forthynke or am
punished for a thynge. " Palsgrave (1530), 415.
ACCUMBRED, " I am ill accumbred " (850), perplexed, bur-
dened, encumbered. " Me thynke ye are not gretly
with wyt acomberyd," Skelton, Magnificence,
(d. 1529), 2,242.
ADVOUTRESS, " thou didst help the advoutress " (1040),
adulteress.
ALDERMAN, " no alderman can go ... a sadder pace "
(84^). "A leasurely walking, slow gate." Cotgrave,
Diet., 1611.
ALIE LAND, " a brute of the Alie land " (13^), brute = gal-
lant, person of distinction : see Brute. Alie land may
= (a) Holy Land, in direct response to the mention of
such notable scriptural names as " Goliah " and
"Sampson"; or (6) alye = kindred, neighbouring: in
each case with a possible eye upon " ale " : cf. " Aly-
face. " "If I myght of myn alye ony ther fynde, It
would be grett joye onto me." Coventry Mysteries,
MS-
ALTOGETHER, " for altogether " (Sjc), i.e. once for all.
ALYFACE, " Annot Alyface " (passim), i.e. Beery-face : cf.
Alie-land, &c.
u8 Note-Book and Word-List [AMAZED
AMAZED, " amazed with the smoke " (93c), stupefied,
bewildered.
AMBIGUOUS LETTER, REFERENCES, &c., see Roister Doister.
AND (passim), if.
A PORT A INFERI, see Mock Requiem.
APPLY, " I ne grant nor apply " (86c), have thought of.
APPOSE, " he might oppose me now " (50), puzzle,
embarrass, nonplus. " You will appose me by and by."
Fulwell (1568), Like Will to Like (E.E.D.S. 3id).
ARGENT, " a whole peck of argent " (286), silver : also
generic for money : here = gold (see 340 " he promised
to give you a whole peck of gold ").
ARMS, " by His arms " (100), an oath : also elliptically
(as in 560). " At euery other worde you shal heare
either woundes, bloud, sides, heart, nailes, foote, or
some other part of Christes blessed body sworne by.
. . . When thou swearest by his armes, thou swearest
by his power." Stubbes, Anat. of Abuses (1583), 140
(1836).
ARQUEBUS, " discharge my arquebus " (960), an old
hand-gun, longer than a musket, and of larger calibre,
supported on a rest by a hook of iron fastened to the
barrel ; it was an improvement on the older hand-gun,
which was without a lock. " Henry VII., in estab-
lishing the yeomen of the guard in 1485, armed half
of them with arquebuses, whilst the weapons of the
other half were bows and arrows." James, Mil. Diet.
ASSAYS, " I am at all assays " (4od), ready for all con-
tingencies, " game for anything." " Whither ye shall
lead me; I am at all assays." Jacob and Esau
(E.E.D.S., Anon. Plays, 2 Ser,
yocEM, see Mock Requiem.
BACKARE, " Backare, quod Mortimer to his sow " (iac),
proverbial : a rebuke to pushfulness or presumption.
The allusion is lost, but the meaning is clear Hands
off ! Git ! It occurs in Heywood and Camden, and
and other illustrative examples are many. Baccare !
= go back, is employed by Lyly (Midas, v. a), and in
Taming of the Shrew, ii. i. 73 " Baccare! you are
BILLIMENTS] Note-Book and Word- List 119
marvellous forward." The meaning is that Gawin
Goodluck must retire his pretensions to Custance's
hand.
BEARS, " the learned at this day bears the bell " (40), the
northern plural : see Bell.
BEES, " bees in his head " (3oc), still colloquial ; see
Edward's Damon and Pithias (E.E.D.S., ed.), s.v.
BELDAME, " our old beldame " (iga), not always used
disrespectfully ; see Spenser, Fairy Queen, in. 2. 43, and
Drayton, Poly-Olbion, 6.
BELL, " bears the bell " (40), takes precedence, comes
first. " Among the Romans it [a horse race] was an
Olympic exercise, and the prize was a garland, but
now they beare the bell away." Saltonshall, Char.,
23-
BELZABUB, " he wrong a club Once in a fray out of the
hand of Belzebub " (29^), cf. " caught up a club, As
though he would have slain the master-devil Bel-
sabub." Gammer Gurton, iv. 2 (E.E.D.S. Anon. PI.,
3 Sen, 134^).
BERY, "tril on the bery " (^id), seemingly the refrain of an
old song, " With huffa gallant, sing tril on the bery.' 1
Four Elements, c. 1510 (E.E.D.S. Anon. PI., i Ser.
160). " Piping on thine oaten reede upon this little
berry " (some ycleep a hillock). Browne, Brit. Past.
(1613), I, 2.
BESPOKEN, " I am bespoken " (330), promised, affianced.
BEST HENS, see Grease.
BET, " he bet the King of Crickets " (29^), past tense of
beat : still dialectical. " I should bet whereas now I
all the blows get." Jack Juggler, c. 1563 (E.E.D.S.,
Anon. PL, 3rd Ser., i8c).
BIE, see Abye.
BILLIMENTS, " billiments of gold " (400), " head attire "
(Fliigel); "ornaments of goldsmith's work, probably
worn round the neck or bosom, and not infrequently set
with pearls, diamonds, rubies, &c. " (Madden). " And
goeth in their billaments of fine pearle and golde."
Robin Conscience (c. 1550), 181.
no Note-Book and Word-List [BLANCHEPOWDER
BLANCHEPOWDER LAND, see Blue Spider.
BLANK, " this gear will prove blank " (37c), unsuccess-
ful. " It's lots to blanks, My name hath touch 'd your
ears . . . " Shakspeare, Coriolanus (1610).
BLUE SPIDER IN BLANCHEPOWDER LAND (296), cf. Plautus'
Miles, i. i, and Thersites (E.E.D.S., Anon. PI., i Ser.,
2o8c 2130). Blue spider = Tom Thumb; Blanche-
powder land, see story of Fulk Fitz \Varine and Percy
Folio MSS., 3. 279.
BONES, " oh bones, thou killest me " (99^), i.e t God's
bones, a common oath ; see Arms.
BORD, " earnest or bord " (25<f) " speak but in bord "
(75^)1 J est sport. " Whan Gamelyn was i-set in the
justices stede, Herkneth of a bourde that Gamelyn
dede." Chaucer, Cant. Tales (1383), 851-2.
BORROW, see Saint George.
BRAG, " a portly brag " (570) " a lusty brag " (57c),
swagger, boast, ostentatious pretence. " A kind of
conquest Caesar made here ; but made not here his
brag Of 'came,' and ' saw,' and ' overcame.' " Shak-
speare, Cymbeline, iii. i.
BRAIN, see Break my brain.
BRAVE, " brave in our suits " (400), gay, showy, finely
dressed. " Rings put upon his fingers, And brave
attendants near him when he wakes." Shakspeare,
Tarn, of the Shrew, Induct., i.
BREAK, " I will neither read ne break " (340), i.e. open
the seal of the letter in Custance's hand.
BREAK MY BRAIN, " shall I so break my brain " (8oa), be
so foolish. " Love which breaketh the braines, and
never bruseth the brow." Lyly, Endymion (1591), v. 3.
BREAST, " that is a breast to blow out a candle " (90)
" with a lusty breast " (<>6<J), breath, voice. " Is your
breast anything sweet. f> Heywood, Four P.P. (see
Works, i., E.E.D.S. 386 and 2240).
BRIBES, " polling and bribes " (690), robbery, plunder.
(Prompt Parv.). " ]e derobbe ... he bribeth and he
polleth." Palsgrave, Lang. Franc. (1530), 465.
CARRIAGE] Note-Book and Word- List 121
BRIM, " never boar so brim " (870) " taking his part full
brim " (896), fierce, furious, with heat. " The brim
battil of the Harlaw." Evergreen, i. go.
BROTHER, " make me a letter, brother " (6Sd), cf. use of
" cousin " (450), by Merrygreek, of Roister Doister.
See Hercules.
BRUTE, " it is a brute of the Alie land " (13^) " that is
a lusty brute " (57) " a lusty brute I am " (59^), a
hero, person of distinction, a gallant : cf. the Brutus of
Arthurian Romance. "So noble a brute." Lyly,
Euphues (1581), p. 36 (Arber).
BURBOLT, " as much brain as a burbolt " (5o&), bird-bolt,
properly a short arrow with a broad flat end used for
killing birds without piercing them ; this weapon was
also carried by fools, whence (Cotgrave) " a light-
brain 'd fellow." " Ignorance should shoot His gross-
knobb'd bird-bolt." Marston, What You Will (1607).
BUSK, " out of a busk " (296), bush : northern dialectical.
BY, see Aby : cf. " 'low," " 'chieve, " &c.
BY AND BY (passim), immediately, at once, forthwith.
CALAIS, " by the Arms of Calais " (92^), apparently a
popular oath of the day ; it occurs again, previously
(636). Dyce thought Cales (Cadez) might be meant ;
but, having in view the fact that since 1450 Calais had
been mourned as the only English holding in France,
that Henry VIII.'s war with that country, commenced
in 1509, had revived public interest and concern for
the possession, and that frequent contemporary re-
ferences prove the continuance of that anxiety through
the reigns of Edward VI. and Mary, it is not unreason-
able to assume with some degree of certainty that the
French town, which was finally lost to the English in
I 557> is here referred to.
CAN, " I can some skill " " I can thee thank " &c.
(passim), possess, am able to render ; see other volumes
of this series. Thank is singular.
CARRIAGE, " I feel no such carriage " (47c), burden, any-
thing that is carried or borne. " And David left his
carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and
122 Note-Book and Word- List [CASSOCK
ran into the army." Bible, Auth. Vers. (1611), i
Samuel xvii. 22.
CASSOCK, " in our silk cassocks " (400), a dress of any
kind a long, loose over-garment now chiefly confined
to clerics. " She . . . drest her selfe up in Carmelas
russet cassocke." Greene, Menaphon (1587), p. 44
(Arber).
CAST, "hear what I have cast" (ssc; also i$d i6c ;
25c ; 386, &c.), as subs, and verb. Cast had formerly
many meanings, now obsolete or archaic advice,
counsel, plan, design, any object of desire or con-
trivance, skill, art, a guess, a trick or juggle, fashion,
form, pattern, chance, venture, accident, lot, taunt,
and so forth ; with, of course, mutatis mutandis, the
corresponding verbal senses.
CATO, " the third Cato " (140), an heroic comparison : in
sarcasm : cf. Tenth Worthy and Fourth Fury (Mas-
senger).
CHAD, ICHOTTE, CHWAS, CHWINE (22c), the conventional
rustic speech of early plays a mixture of southern and
northern dialect, but chiefly the former.
CHEEK, " I shrew his best cheek " (io6c) " I shrew their
best Christmas cheeks " (750), Fliigel says " cheeks
here like 'eyes,' 'teeth'": cf. Gammer Gurton's
Needle (E.E.D.S., Anon. PL, 3 Ser., 1410), " beshrew
thy smooth cheeks." In the second example, however,
and mayhap the first, it should not be overlooked that
a fantastic headdress of the time went by the name of
cheeks and ears ; the topical allusion to Christmas
(with its festivities) would then be clear. " Fr. O then
thou canst tell how to help me to cheeks and ears.
L. Yes, mistress, very well. Fl. S. Cheeks and ears !
why, mistress Frances, want you cheeks and ears?
methinks you have very fair ones." London Prod.
(E.E.D.S., Pseudo-Shakspearean Plays, 11.), iv. 3.
CHARM, " this shall be to me a charm " (36d) " I shall
thee and thine so charm " (Bid), a silencing, to silence.
" He is the man must charm you." Jonson, Earth.
Fair (1614), ii. i. " Charm your men, I beseech you."
Middle-ton, Fair Quarrel (1617), v. i.
CHERRY, see Chip.
COMMON'TY] Note-Book and Word- List 123
"CHIEVE, " 111 'chieve it " (220), i.e. may she succeed ill,
" bad luck to you."
CHIP, " chip and cherry " (qic), i.e. to chirp, to coo like
a dove: cherry = chirre.
CHIST, " locked up in a chist " (93^), chest, box.
CHOPLOGE, " thus play choploge " (soft), quibbler, an
argumentative wrangler; usually "chop-logic," but
note the exigency of the rhyme. " How now, chop-
logic." Shakspeare, Romeo and Jtiliet (1595), Hi. 5-
CHOSE, " ye have chose of devotion " (266) " ye have
chose a good gentleman " (260), spoke.
CHRISTMAS CHEEKS (750), see Cheeks.
CHWAS, see Chad.
CHWINE, see Chad.
CLEAN, see Wipe.
COAT, see Swinged.
COCK, " by Cock " (i8d, et passim), by God ; a frequent
euphemistic oath.
COIL, " coil thee mine own hands " (820), beat, drub,
thwack.
COLBRANDE (13^), see Thersites (E.E.D.S., Anon. Plays,
i Ser. i99c).
COLD, see Hot.
COLLOCAVIT, " the kitchen collocavit " (936), probably a
fine Latin rendering of collock = a large pail. "A
kneadinge tube, iij collecks, a wynnocke, ij stands, a
churne, a fleshe collecke." Invent, in Richmondshire
Wills (Surtees Soc.), p. 169. Cf. the Vice in Hey-
wood's Love (E.E.D.S., Works I., i8od), who enters
with " a high copper tank on his head," and the same
character in Preston's Cambyses (E.E.D.S. Works),
who appears " with an old capcase on his head, an old
pail about his hips for harness, a scummer and a
potlid by his side, and a rake on his shoulder."
COMMANDS, COMMANDED, " commands me to you " (246)
" she commanded me " (24*:), commends, commended.
COMMON'TY, " all the common'ty " (me), commonalty.
124 Note-Book and Word-List [CONKY
CONEY, " sweet lamb and coney " (26d) " I her lamb,
she my coney " (sgc), an endearment : its origin is
obscene.
CONVEYANCE, " by my conveyance " (88b), dishonesty,
artful management : here the reference is to the tricky
reading of the ambiguous letter. " Since Henry's
death I fear there is conveyance." Shakspeare, I
Henry VI. (1592), i. 3.
COSTARD, " I knock your costard " (720), head : properly
a large kind of apple.
COSTRELING, " O, your costreling " (29^), an armour-
bearer, squire, servant of a man-at-arms : a diminutive
of custrel.
COTSWOLD LION (Zgc), a sheep : the Cotswolds in Glouces-
tershire have from time immemorial been noted for a
breed of sheep (cotsold = sheepfold) : note, later on, the
" sheep's look full grim " (88d). " Now have at the
lyons on Cotsolde." Thersites, Anon. Plays, Ser. i.
(E.E.D.S.), i99<*.
COUGH, " he shall cough me a mome " (500), a play on
another meaning of cough ; i.e. show what a fool he
is; Skelton has " coughe me a dawe. " " He will cough
for anger . . . but he shall cough me a fool." Lyly,
Mother Bombie.
COUSIN, "my cousin Roister Doister" (450), a familiar
address : cf. " brother " (68d).
Cow, " last kiss your cow " (236), proverbial. " Every
man as he loveth . . . quoth the good man when that
he kissed his cow." Heywood (E.E.D.S., Works, 11.).
CRAKING, " facing and craking " (6a), boasting.
CUMBER, " shall cumber you " (630), see Accumbered.
CURRIED, " the worst is but a curried coat " (2ife),
beaten.
CUST, "it must be cust " (22c), kissed (A.N.).
DANGER, " danger of debt " (gc), i.e. risk of imprison-
ment for debt.
DAWS, " I lust not to meddle with daws " (52c), fools.
DEVICE, " the whole answer in my device doth rest "
(5od), i.e. left to me to carry out as I will.
EXCHEQUER] Note- Book and Word- List 125
DID, "no did " (416), elliptical : the usage was frequent
cf. " no had " and " no shall " (Hey wood, Works,
E.E.D.S., i. 68a and 870).
DOCK, see Nettle.
'DRESSED, " 'dressed him like a fool " (940), addressed.
DRINK, (a) " drink once ere ye go " (536), " wetting the
bargain " was formerly an essential ceremony in a
betrothal : " no dry bargain would hold on such occa-
sions " (Brand, Pop. Antiq., ii. 90).
(&) " ye will drink anon " (i8c), " drink without a
cup " (i8d et seq.), a play on the two meanings of
drink = (a), imbibe, and (fc) = suffer punishment : see
whole passage. " I shrew me if I drank any more
than twice to-day, Till I met even now with that
other I, And with him I supped and drank truly."
Jack Juggler, Anon. PL, 3 Ser. (306). Professor
Williams, of the University of Tasmania, regards the
duplication of meaning as based on Matthew xxvi.,
42. See Heywood's Works (E.E.D.S.), n., 293^.
DUMPS, " twang with our dumps " (35c), melancholy
strains in music, vocal or instrumental. " To their
instruments Tune a deploring dump." Shakspeare,
Two Gentlemen (1595), iii. 2.
EFT, " Custance should eft seek to me " (566), again.
EKE (passim), also.
ELECTION, " ye be as one in election of taking " (480),
preference, choice. " I take to-day a wife and my
election." Shakspeare, Troilus (1602), ii. 2. 61.
ELEPHANT, " the last Elephant " (296), cf. Plautus, Miles
Gl. i. i. 25.
ENSURED, " ensured to a husband " (38^), betrothed.
" After his mother Mary was ensured to Joseph." Sir
John Cheke, Matt. i. 18.
ENTWITE, " no good turns entwite " (410), to make a
thing a subject for reproach, to twit. " Thou doest
naught to entwite me thus." Udall, Apoph. 165.
EXCHEQUER, " I will put you up into the Exchequer "
(1090), a court instituted by William the Conqueror,
and constituting part of the Aula Regia. It was re-
modelled by Edward I. Its primary object was to
126 Note-Book and Word-List [KZKCHIAS
recover debts due to the king, such as unpaid taxes, &c.,
to vindicate his proprietary rights against those
encroaching upon them, &c. But after a time, with-
out losing sight of the original purpose, it developed
into an ordinary law court, with a legal and an equit-
able side, each open to all the nation. A suitor had
only to plead (the allegation as a rule being only a
legal fiction) that he was a debtor to the king, but could
not pay what he owed because of injustice done him in
another matter by the person whom he summoned to
the Court of Exchequer (Ency. Diet.).
EZECHIAS AND OTHER LOST PLAYS, see Udall (Nicholas).
FACING, " all the day long is he facing " (6a), braving,
browbeating, bullying. " I will neither be faced nor
braved." Shakspeare, Taming of the Shrew (1593),
iv. 3. "I face as one doth that brauleth " (Palsgrave).
FACTS, " such is your personage, and such are your
facts " (iqd), deeds, acts, performances : cf. " faytes of
armes " (Caxton, Encylos, Prol.).
FAIN, " never so fain " (8oc), with desire.
FALSE, " wooers never speed that have a false heart "
(160), cowardly, poltroonish. " Cowards, whose hearts
are all as false As stairs of sand." Shakspeare,
Merchant of Venice (1598), Hi. 2.
FAY, " in fay " (6+c), faith.
FEAR, " would fear my sweetheart " (306), frighten,
terrify. " We must not make a scarecrow of the law,
Setting it up to fear the birds of prey." Shakspeare,
Measure for Measure (1603), ii. i.
FERDEGEWS, " our trick ferdegcws " (400), farthingale :
Sp. Verdugado, " a verdingall reaching to the feete "
(Minsheu).
FET, " I will rub your temples and fet you again " (55**).
fetch.
FEY, see Fay.
FINGER, see Hole.
FIRE, see Malt.
FUR] Note- Book and Word-List 127
FIRE-FORK, " Truepenny's fire-fork " (83c), a poker.
" Item 2 aundeyerns, a fyer fercke, a. fyer panne, and a
paire of tonges, xxd. " Inventory (1536).
FIST, " look you on your own fist " (yoa), handwriting :
still colloquial. " The duke has sent his fist to me."
Middleton, Blurt, Master Constable, i. 2. 138.
FIT, " shall we sing a fit " (qoc) " before my sweet-
heart's door we will have a fit " (580), a stave, a tune
generally a division or part of anything composed of
more than one part.
FLINGING, " never but flinging " (396), running about,
frisking, capering about.
FLOCK, " do him lout and flock " (520), i.e. mock and
stuff with " fool-corn " : see Lout.
FOIL, " to foil his hands on a woman " (noa), to lay
hands on ; literally to make a mark or track : /oi/ = the
track of a deer.
FOND, " this fond talk " (346), (a) foolish. " Grant I
may never prove so fond To trust man on his oath or
bond." Shakspeare, Timon of Athens (1609), i. 2.
(&) See Nicebecetur.
FOOL'S FEATHER, " a fool's feather had light on your
coat " (30^), a play on fool and fowl : cf. " What a
peevish fool was that of Crete, That taught his son the
office of a fowl ! And yet, for all his wings, the fool was
drown'd." (3 Henry VI., v. 6, 18, 20): see Douce,
Illustrations n., Plate 4, i.
FORCE, " no force " (8oc), no matter. " No force, I wote
wheder I shalle." Towneley Mysteries, p. 16.
FORDONE, " else is all ... fordone " (960), the for is an
intensive : cf. forlorn, forlet (much hinder), /orgalled
(much galled) : hence = ruined, undone.
FORTY PENCE (6jd), a favourite sum in wagers : see
E.E.D.S. Anon. Plays, 3 Series, s.v. Forty 26$d.
FRENCH HOODS, " go in our French hoods every day "
(400), here indicating costly raiment : see previous
volumes of this series and Boorde's Introd., 191.
FRESH, " fresh and gay " (400), smart, new.
FUR, " whip and whur . . . never made good fur " (17^),
furrow.
128 Note-Book and Word-List [GAUDING
GAUDING, " what gauding and fooling is this " (sgd),
rejoicing, merrymaking. " Gauding with his
familiars." North, Plutarch (1578).
GEAR, " this gear beginneth for to frame " (186), matter,
business : see previous volumes of this series.
GENTMAN, GENTMANLY (486; 520; and 68a), gentleman,
gentlemanly.
GIRDLE, " ne'er an M by your girdle? " (580), a rebuke
to Merrygreek's rude mode of speech : to have an M
under one's girdle = to use a respectful forefix (Mr.,
Mrs., &c.) when addressing or mentioning a person.
GLOMING, " by his gloming " (76), melancholy, gloomy
looks. " A glooming peace this morning with it brings,
The sun for sorrow will not shew his head.'
Shakspeare, Romeo and Juliet (1595), v. 3.
GOOD, (a) " I may chide him a good " (676), thoroughly,
to some purpose : cf. weep agood (Two Gent., iv. 4.
170), (b) see Haste.
GOOSE, "shall I go fet our goose?" (97&) : cf. the in-
cident of the snail in Thersites (E.E.D.S., Anon. Plays,
Series 2, pp. 208-210).
Goss, " by goss " (6^b), euphemistic for God : cf. gog,
cock, and similar circumlocutions.
GRAFF, " whereon to graff a lout " (6a), graft.
GREASE, " The kitchen collocavit, the best hens to
grease " (93&). Professor Williams, of the University
of Tasmania, who with Mr. P. A. Robin edited
Roister Doister in 1901, has sent me a copy of
" material " which he had gathered " for some sub-
sequent editor to use as he may think fit." Therein
I find the following remarks concerning this passage,
which I think best to place on permanent record just
as Professor Williams has given them : " After long
wavering between two possible interpretations of this
phrase, I have come to the conclusion that it is
another of Merygreeke's ambiguities, and that both
meanings are intended, one for Roister Doister's ears,
the other for the audience. To Roister Doister it is
intended to mean ' the best from here to Greece. *
(Hennes is the M.E. form of hence, and grece of
Greece). We find a similar expression in Hey wood's
HARD] Note-Book and Word-List 129
Epigrams, ' No goose need go barefoot between this
and Greece ' [E.E.D.S. Works, n. zogc] ; and hence
is used without a verb of motion in ' That same is
she, that is the most bawde hens to Coventrie '
[Works i. (726)]. To the audience it is intended to
mean ' the best for fattening hens ' : cf. 'A strange
furmety, Will feed ye up as fat as hens i' the fore-
head ' (Beaumont and Fletcher, Bonduca, i. 2).
Roister Doister is called a ' hen ' on account of his
cowardice : cf. Shelton, Colyn Cloute, 169, ' herted
lyke an hen ' ; All's Well, ii. 3. 224, ' Lord have mercy
on thee for a hen ' (of Parolles). Hens would
naturally be fattened with the contents of the kitchen
bucket. For the play on the words grease and
Greece, cf. A Match at Midnight (Hazl. Dodsl.,
xiii. 91), ' Alex. Harkee, brother, where lies her
living? Tim. Where? Why, in Greece. Alex. In
grease. Sim. She looks as if she had sold kitchen
stuff.' "
'GREE, " 'gree not half well " (37<i), agree.
GRISTLE, " she is but a gristle " (26d), i.e. a young pig :
applied to young girls as an endearment (note the
" lamb " and " coney "), and here in mock with per-
haps an eye on grizzled [one], i.e. grey with age :
Fr. grison. " I love no grissels." Lyly, Endymion
(1591), v. ii.
HAD, " why are ye so sad? . . . thou knowest the pro-
verb because I cannot be had " (510). " When
Lovers are in talke so sad As if they were already
had." Friar Bacon's Prophesy (1604), 564.
HAIL-SHOT, " have . . . with hail-shot " (966), small
shot, grape-shot.
HALFPENNY-DOLE, " I will cry halfpenny-dole " (540), to
be given as alms to the poor : doles were customary at
funerals. See Brand, ii. 287 ; Caxton (Craik's Eng.
Prose, Sel., i. 102).
HARD, " up to the hard ears in love"(6&), very close or
near, hard by, to the fullest extent : possibly the
modern phrase over head and ears (which sounds re-
dundant) may be a corruption of " over the hard ears."
UDALL K
130 Note- Book and Word-List [HARDLY
We also get " at the horde heeles " (Gosson, Sch. of
Abuse), and " at the horde rootes " (Skelton).
HARDLY, let them hardly take thought " (gc, &c.), cer-
tainly, by all means, surely.
HASTE, "no haste but good" (i"]d), proverbial; it
occurs in Hcywood : cf. Hasty.
HASTY, " good hap is not hasty " (56c), proverbial : not
in Heywood.
HAVE, " have at " (gib and 960), to try, attempt, begin,
and (of persons) to aim a blow at.
HAWKS, " you were take up for hawks " (586), i.e.
you would be snapped up for a husband like " hawks'
meat": see Preston's Cambyses (E.E.D.S. Works)
" That husband for hawk's meat of them is up
snatched, Head broke with a bedstaff, face be ail-to
scratched."
HAZE, " and ye will haze, haze " (6ob) " in case ye will
not haze " (Sob), have us.
HEAL, " while he was in heal " (550), health.
HEIGH, " heigh, derry, derry " (41^), a popular refrain.
" Nay, I must sing too, heigh, derry, derry." N.
Woodes, Conflict of Conscience (E.E.D.S. Works).
HERE-AWAY, " to know what he maketh here-away "
(aid), hereabout.
HOBIL, " such a ... hobil " (51^), clown, clodhopper,
lout : cf. " Goodman Hobal " (Trial of Treasure,
E.E.D.S., 222b).
HODDYDODDY, " Hanky n Hoddydoddy's sleeve " ($c),
fool, awkward lout.
HOLD, (a) " I hold a groat " (iBc), wager, bet : see other
volumes of this series.
(6) " hold up his yea and nay " (6c), support, endorse,
maintain, flatter. " The proudest he that holds up
Lancaster." Shakspeare, 3 Henry VI. (1595), i. i.
HOLE, " to hold his finger in a hole " (6d), see Hey-
wood, Works (E.E.D.S.) n. 73C. " I'll put one finger
in a hole, rather." Middleton, Anything for a Quiet
Life (d. 1627), iii. i. 94.
JOHN] Note-Book and Word-List 131
HOMELY, " a nurse talk so homely " (270) " homely
dalliance" (1036), unseemly, "rude, "vulgar," lack-
ing in respect.
HOROLOGE, " play the devil in the horologe " (50??), i.e.
strike: it occurs in Heywood. "Some for a tryfull
pley the devyll in the orloge." Harman, Vulgaria
HOT, " so soon hot, so soon cold " (990), proverbial :
Heywood has it " hot love soon cold." " Dowghter
. . . hastye love is soone hot and soone cold." Wit
and Science (1540).
HOWLET, " the howlet out of an ivy-bush should hoop "
(3S C ). a young owl.
HUSBAND, " a good thrifty husband " (220), an economist ;
a good manager : cf. verb to husband (a matter, one's
resources, &c.). See Cotgrave, Diet., s.v., Quatre
mesnage " An ill, improvident, or unskilful husband ;
a waste-good, spill-good, or spill-thrift " (1610).
ICHOTTE (22c), Ich wot = l know : see Cham.
'!ELD, " God 'ield you, sir " (220 ; 486), in original
yelde = yield = reward, recompense.
IN PARADISUM, see Mock Requiem.
INSURANCE, " know afore of the insurance " (88a), be-
trothal, affiance.
Is, " No is? " (276), elliptical : i.e. is not she?
I-wis, I-WYS (passim), certainly, indeed, truly : see Hey-
wood, Works (E.E.D.S.), I. 2340.
JACK RAKER (35^), a maker of bad verses : a proverbial
personification. " Ye wolde be callyd a maker And
make mocke lyke Jake Raker. 1 ' Skelton, Garnesche,
108.
JETTING, " jetting up and down " (576), strut, swagger,
move about in a jaunty fashion. " I get, I use a proude
countenance and pace in my goyng, je braggue."
Palsgrave, Lang. Franc., 563, 2.
JOHN, " to-day a man, to-morrow John " (ii2c), in con-
tempt. " The title-page of Sir Walter Raleigh's Fare-
well to his Lady, 1644 (Ashbee's Reprints), has for
heading : ' To-day a man, To-morrow none.' For the
K 2
132 Note-Book and Word-List [JOLLY
contemptuous use of 'John,' vide Skeat's note on
Chaucer, C.T., 8.4000" (Williams and Robin).
JOLLY, (a), " a jolly man " (33<i), a general expression of
admiration. " Generally esteemed and taken for a
jolly fellow." Udall, Eras. Par. Mark, viii. 31 (1548).
(6) " A jolly merry knot " (40*:), an intensive which is
still colloquial = extremely, very. " A iolye fortunate
man." Coverdale, Eras. Par. Phil., iii. 5 (1549).
JUNO, " Juno send me ... good luck " (510), as the
Queen of Marriage. " By Juno, that is queen of mar-
riage." Shakspeare, Pericles (1609), ii. 3. 30.
JUT, " give him a jut " (516), knock up or run against,
jolt, jostle.
KA, "enamoured, feo? " (130), quotha. "That is my
meaning, ka dumb John." Marprelate Epist. (1588),
20.
KING OF CRICKETS (2gd), " in the series of the ' blue
spider ' and the ' gozeling.' Cf. ' the King of Cock-
neys on Childermas-day, 1 " Brand's Pop. Ant. i, 536,
&c. (Fliigel). " What, King of Crickets, is there none
but you? " Munday, Death Rob. E. ofH. (E.E.D.S.).
KITE, " that doughty kite " (107?*), a generic reproach :
the earliest quotation in the O.E.D.
KNACKING, " in good knocking earnest " (48d), downright.
" Pel. Here you not howe this gentylman mockys.
Lyb. Ye, to knackynge ernyst what an it preue?"
Skelton, Magnyf., 33.
KNAP, " good-night, Roger, old knave ! knave knap \ "
(54 J), an obsolete form of nap = sleep, slumber.
KNOT, " a jolly, merry knot " (4oc), company, group.
" So often shall the knot of us be called," &c.
Shakspeare, Julius Ccesar (1607), iii. i. 117.
KNOW, " I hope we shall better know " (390), i.e. become
better acquainted.
Ko (520 and c), quoth.
KOCKS (26c), Cock 's = God's.
Koss, " a koss with such a man as you " (z3c), kiss.
" Kisse he me with the cos of his mowth." Wyclif,
Song of Sol. (1382), i. i.
LOITERERS] Note-Book and Word-List 133
LAD, " I am a lad " (goc), a man of mettle, brave fellow.
LADE, " doth not love lade you " (47c), load.
LANE, " the lane without any bones " (i8a), throat : cf.
modern red-lane.
LAW, " zee, law I . . zo, law I " (296), an exclamation,
la! "So God help me, law!" Shakspeare, Love's
Labour Lost (1594), v. 2. 414.
LESE, LESING (6d ; 480 ; 956), lose, losing.
LET, " there shall be no let " (qgd), hindrance.
LEVY, " levy the camp " (950), a phrase borrowed from
military parlance = to raise a siege, to cease warlike
operations. " There was made no more doubt to levie
the campe. " Fenton, Guicciard (1579), 256.
LIETH, " for this lieth upon his preferment " (260), con-
cerns, is of consequence to.
LIFE-DAYS, " all thy life-days " (78^), lifetime. " Ye
know that now our life-days are but short." Jacob and
Esau (E.E.D.S., Anon. Plays, 2 Ser., 82^), v. 9.
LILBURN, "such a lilburn " (51^), a loutish, stupid
fellow, dolt.
LILY, " by His lily wounds " (gid), the O.E.D. says
"white, fair as a lily"; this is the only quotation
given except for what can ordinarily be described as
Wy-white (e.g. forehead, hands, cheeks, arms, face,
&c.). The usage is obscure unless it indicates that the
wounds were innocent of offence or void of corruption.
LOBCOCK, " such a lobcock " (51^), lubber, bumpkin,
blundering fool. " Seneca and Lucan were lobcockes
to choose that death." Nashe, Unf. Traveller (1594),
76.
LOITERERS, " be there no officers ... to check idle
loiterers " (Sib), the latest statute against vagrancy and
brawling before the date of Roister Doister is that of
i Edward VI., c. 3 (1547) : " Whosoever . . . being
not lame shall either like a seruing-man wanting a
master, or like a beggar or after any such other sort be
lurking in any house or houses, or loitering, or idle
wandering by the high wayes side, or in streets, cities,
townes, or villages . . . then euery such person shall
bee taken for a vagabond, . . . and it shalbe lawfull
134 Note-Book and Word-List [LOMBARD'S TOUCH
... to any . . . person espying the same, to bring or
cause to be brought the said person so liuing idle and
loiteringly to two of the next justices of the peace," &c.
LOMBARD'S TOUCH (37c), touch = " mark " (i.e. a manu-
facturer's trade-mark, as on plate) " and that no
man shall geve for his proper marck or touch " (Hist.
Pewt. Co. i. 210). Lombard, a generic term for a
banker, moneychanger, or pawnbroker. Dobinet
having failed to get Madge Mumblecrust to deliver
the gold token, thinks he can count upon one of the
newcomers to handle the ring and deliver it (i.e. be-
cause bearing outwardly some of the marks of one
who likes to handle gold even if only temporarily).
LOSEL, " avaunt, losel " (806), profligate, rake, ne'er-do-
well. " Losels ye are and thefys." Towneley Myst.
(c. 1460), xvi. 154.
LOOTED, " he is touted and laughed to scorn " (52^),
humiliated, treated with contumely, fooled. " So
mocked, so louted, so made a sot." E.E.D.S., Anon.
Plays, 4 Ser. (c. 1530).
'Low, 'LOWE, " I 'low his wit" (33 c ; s8c), allow, ap-
prove, admit : the usage survives as an Americanism.
LUB, " they lub you " (14^) " canst thou not lub this
man " (64^), love : still good nursery, negro, or bur-
lesque. See Shakspeare's play on the word in Two
Gentlemen of Verona, ii. 5, 44, 47.
LUST, " as ye lust indeed " (6d), please, choose, wish.
" You lusted not this night any supper make." Jack
Juggler (c. 1562), E.E.D.S., Anon. PL, 3 Ser., 136;
Ibid. 2836.
M, see Girdle.
MAD, " I warrant you for mad " (iic), i.e. against mad-
ness : cf. "I'll warrant him for drowning" (Shak-
speare, Tempest, i. i. 49).
MAISTRY, " whippet apace /or the maistry " (200), i.e. as
if aiming at mastery ; hence, extremely, in the highest
degree: here = " sing your best and loudest," "raise
the roof."
MALKIN, " yea, malkin " (i$b), scarecrow, guy : Merry-
greek is chaffing Roister.
MOCKAGE] Note-Book and Word- List 135
MALT, " soft fire maheth sweet malt " (i8a), an admoni-
tion to be gentle, merciful, or unexacting : in Heywood,
Works (E.E.D.S.), n. 6c. " Soft and faire, sir. Soft
fire maketh sweet tnau/f." Dent, Pathw. Heaven
(1601), 249.
MANKINE, " she is mankine " (ggb), furious, angry, mad.
" He set dogges, that were mankynde, upon the man to
be all totorne." Herman, Vulg. (1519), 127.
MARK, " a hundred marks " (280), money of account of
the value of 135. 4d. : as a coin it was never used in
England, though in Scotland marks were current in
the isth and i6th centuries.
MARYBONES, " couch on your marybones " fooc), marrow-
bones, knees : still colloquial. " Down he fel vpon his
maribones." More, Confut. Tindale Works (1532),
727. 2.
MASHIP, " a fitter wife for your maship " (120) " your
maship so bold " (276), mastership : a title of respect.
MATT, " by the matt " (966), by the mass.
MEASURE, " I love singing out of measure " (i6d), a play
on differing meanings (a) exceedingly, and (b) out of
tune : see Jonson, Every Man in His Humour, iii. i.
IO2.
MERRYGREEK, " Mathew Merrygreek " (4^), madcap,
rogue. " A mad rascal, a merry greek " . . . " a
merry grig . . . rogue." Cotgrave, Lang. Franc.
(1611), s.v. Roger bon temps and Gringalet.
MINION, " not the like minion " (526), (a) a darling,
favourite (pour le bon motif) ; and (b) creature, servile
dependent, bardash. Here the meaning is that Roister
thinks vastly much of himself and that there is none
more acceptable to women or of more valour.
Mo (passim), more.
MOCK, " mock much of her " (26??) " mock much of
you " (65??), make; possibly a pun is intended.
MOCKAGE, " spake it all in mockage " (88a), mockery,
jest. " Thus speaketh the Prophete by an ironye, that
is, in derision, or mockage." 2 Chronicles, xviii.
(Note.) (1551.)
'36
Note-Book and Word-List [MOCK REQUIEM
MOCK REQUIEM (530 to $s c )> tm s mock requiem is a
jumbled parody of the Roman Ritual for the Dead,
i his and other offices of the Church were often bur-
lesqued in the literature of the lUiuule Ages. Notable
examples are The Drunkard's Mass (Reliquice An-
tiques, 2. 208) ; Requiem to the Favourite of Henry VI.
(Ritson's Songs, 101) ; and, to omit mention of number-
less other examples, portions of Skelton's Philip
Sparrow. From the extracts now given it will be seen
that the last-named exhibits some remarkable parallel
passages possibly Udall had his eye on Skelton's work
when writing Merrygreek's mock requiem for Roister
Doister. The references to the Burial Service are
taken in the order in which they occur in the text ; but
this (humorously intentional, perhaps) is not strictly
the order of the Ritual.
" Placebo dilexi " (s^c), " placebo [domino] " is
from the beginning of the Office for the Dead at
Vespers (Psalm cxvi. 9). Dilexi [quoniam] is from the
opening words of Psalm cxvi. 9. " Pla, ce, bo, Who
is there, who? Di le xi. Dame Margery! Fa, re,
my, my. Wherefore and why? why, For the soule
of Philip Sparow." Philip Sparrow, Chalmers, n.
290. i.
" Nequando " (53^), an antiphon from the Burial
Service, read at Matins : " Ne quando rapiat ut leo
animam meam," &c. (Psalm vii. 2).
" Dirigi " (53d), the commencement of an antiphon
in the Officium Defunctorum : " Dirige, Domine, Deut
meus, in conspectu tuo viam meum."
" Neque lux, neque crux, neque mourners, neque
elink " (53d), i.e. neither candle, neither cross, neither
mourners, neither bell. Candles and the passing bell
were supposed to drive away evil spirits, against the
use of which the reformers were dead set : cf. " All
things were done honourably, sine crux sine lux et non
sine tinkling " (Parker to Fox on Burial of the Duchess
of Norfolk). " The devil should have no abiding
place in England if ringing of bells would serve."
Latimer, Srm., 27. 498.
" A porta inferi " ( 540), from another antiphon :
" A porta inferi erue, Domine, animas eorum." " The
bast now that I may Is for his soule to pray. A porta
MUN] Note-Book and Word-List 137
inferi. Good Lord have mercie Upon my Sparows
soule." Skelton, Philip Sparrow, Chalmers, n. 291. 2.
" Requiem eternum " (540), a refrain in the Office
of the Dead : " Requiem eternum dona eis, Domine,
et lux perpetua luceat eis." " God send my Sparows
soule good rest Requiem eternum dona eis domine
Fa, fa, fa, my, re. A par ta in fe n'." Skelton,
Philip Sparrow, Chalmers, n. 294. i.
" Audivi vocem " (^c), from an antiphon in the
Officium Defunctorum : " Audivi vocem de caelo "
(Lev. xiv. 13). " Au di vi vo cem, Japhet, Cam, and
Sem ; Ma gni fi cat, Shew me the right path."
Skelton, Philip Sparrow, Chalmers, n. 292. i.
" Qui Lazarum " (ssc), from the antiphon commenc-
ing " Qui Lazarum resuscitasti a monumento fceti-
dura."
" In Paradisum " (55c), the antiphon when the
corpse was carried to the grave : " In Paradisum de-
ducant te Angeli."
MOME, " he shall cough me a mome " (500), fool, stupid.
" Mome, malthorse, capon, coxcomb, idiot, patch."
Shakspeare, Comedy of Errors (1593), iii. I. Note the
variation in pronunciation : at IO3C it rhymes with
" none "; at 107^ with " home."
MORE AND LESS (3c), i.e. high and low. " The more and
less came in with cap and knee." Shakspeare, Henry
IV. ( IS9 8), iv. 3. 68.
MOTE (passim), may.
MOUNSIRE GRAUNDE (986), cf. Heywood (Proverbs
E.E.D.S., Works, n., i. 5), " Thus be I by this, once
le senior de graunde, Many that command me, I shall
command."
MOUSE, " little mouse " (i8b), an endearment.
MUMBLECRUST, " Madge Mumblecrust " (passim), cf.
" Mumblenews " (Love's Labour Lost, v. 2. 464), and
" Mumblematins " (Pilkington, Exp. upon Aggeus, i.
2). " Peace ! hear my lady. Jack Mumblecrust steal
no more penny loaves." Patient Grissel, iv. 3. Mumble-
crust occurs also in Dekker's Satiro-Mastix, and in
Misogonus.
MUN, " I mun be married a Sunday " (590), must : still
dialectical.
138 Note- Book and Word-List [NAUGHTY
NAUGHTY, NAUGHTINESS (passim), originally wickedness
and generally applied ; not as now to the perversity,
mischievousness, or misbehaviour of children : here
= levity.
NE (passim), neither, nor.
NEAR, " is much near " (120), the M.E. comparative
= nearer.
NEQUANDO> see Mock Requiem.
NETTLE, " in dock, out nettle " (380), proverbial for in-
constancy, trying one thing after another : the allusion
is to the old-wife's practice of rubbing a nettle sting
with a dock leaf. " Nettle in, dock out, now this, now
that, Pandare? " Chaucer, Troilus and Creseide
(1369)1 bk. iv.
NEW-COME-MAN, " our pretty new-come-man," (400), cf.
Johnny Newcome.
NICE, " nurse is not so nice " (236), affected, coy,
mincing.
NICEBECBTUR, " nobs nicebecetur miserere fond " (260),
nicebecetur, according to Professor Williams = a prick-
me-dainty ; an affected finnicking woman a latinized
form of nicebice (as collocavit fq.v.] of Collock), which
itself is a contemptuous reduplication of nice. Each
stage of the development, he affirms, can be proved by
examples. The first is seen in Youth (infra) ; the next
is found in Locrine (infra). Nobs = an endearment.
Miserere may be (a) a verb, the imper. of misereor,
"I pity"; (b) a noun, either (1) = " lamentation,"
from Miserere, the first word of the penitential Psalm
li., or (2) = " wretch," as miser was used. So far Pro-
fessor Williams, with whom I do not altogether agree
as regards the duplication of nice (Fr. niais). I do
not say that bice is not so derived and formed, but
nicebice comes much later, I think ; and I strongly
suspect (having in mind the occasional rhyme of
nice with rich) that bitch ( = a woman) as a term of
contempt had its influence on the word, seeing that
it is invariably used more or less as a reproach. As
to the meaning of the whole sentence, this (to return to
Professor Williams's essay) may thus be taken in four
ways the first two as a continuation of Merygreeke's
speech, the last two as an answer to it. (i) With his
NOISE] Note-Book and Word-List 139
fond " Nobs nicebecetur, miserere " : i.e. " with his
fond ' Darling, pity me ! ' " (This use of " with " is
very common in Skelton.) (2) With his fond miserere,
" Nobs nicebecetur " : i.e. " with his fond mumbling
' Darling.' ' The objection to this is the separation of
miserere from nobs nicebecetur. (3) With his nobs
nicebecetur, fond miserere ! i.e. " with his darling,
fond wretch that he is ! " The same objection holds
against this as against the last. (4) With his fond
nobs nicebecetur miserere, all three epithets referring
to Mumblecrust, the last describing the woebegone
appearance of the old beldame. Of these, (i) and (4)
seem most probable. Thus far Prof. Williams once
more. I now append several illustrative examples.
(a) NOBS.
" He maketh no nobbes." Image of Ypocrysy.
" He calleth me his whiting, His mulling and his
nitting, His nobbes and his coney." Skelton, Elinour
Rumming, 225 (c. 1520).
" My mouse, my nobs, and coney sweet." Trial of
Treasure (E.E.D.S. Anon PL, Ser. 3, 2380), 1567.
(b) NICE (Nisox = lazy jade).
"A little pretty nicet, Ye be well nice." Youth
(E.E.D.S. Anon. PL, 2 Ser., 104^), 1557.
(c) NICEBECETUR.
" To gete gownes and furs These nyscbeceturs, Of
men sheweth theyr pyte." Boke of Mayd Emlyn, 224,
c. 1520.
" Such nycebyceters as she is." Hey wood, Play
of Weather (E.E.D.S. Works, I. 1236), 1533.
" You and your Ginifinee Nycebecetur." Hey wood
(E.E.D.S., Works, II.) i. xi., 1546.
" Farewell, good Nicebecetur." Clement Robinson,
Handefulle of Pleasant Delites (Arber, Eng. Sch. Lib.,
p. 14), 1584.
" No, by my troth, mistress Nicebice." Locrine
(E.E.D.S., Pseudo-Shakspearean PL I.), iii. 3, 1595.
NOBS, see Nicebecetur.
NOISE, " up with some merry noise " (26^), music, a
band of musicians. " And see if thou canst find
Sneak's noise ; Mistress Tear-sheet would fain hear
some music." Shakspeare, 2 Henry IV. (1598), ii. 4.
140 Note-Book and Word-List [NOWN
NOWN, " nown white son " (6c), a corruption of mine
own : cf. nuncle = mine uncle. Here, of course, an
improper use of the perverted form. See also (i9)
" my nown Annot Alyface."
NOWNS, " Rock's nowns " (26c), God's wounds.
OUR LADY'S KNIGHT (990), St. George.
PAINT, " I shall paint out our wooer " (sod), depict un-
favourably.
PAISHE, PASH, " the paishe of God " (820), passion.
PARAGES, " high and noble parages " (i^b), lineage,
descent, rank. "A prince of high parage." Chester
Plays, I. 157
PARDB (150), par Djeu = by God.
PASTANCB, " a mock for pastance " (366), recreation,
pastime : chiefly in use for rhyming exigencies. " To
have in remembrance Her goodly dalliance, And her
goodly pastance." Skelton, Philip Sparrow (d. 1529),
1095.
PATTENS, see Renne.
PEEVISH, " such mad, peevish elves " (54c), silly, sense-
less, foolish. " To laugh such a peevish trifling argu-
ment to scorn." Udall, Eras. Apoph. (1542), 946.
PENNYWORTH, " I will have some pennyworth " (g6b), a
right equivalent, what's owing, a quid pro quo. " If
you deny me this request I will . . . haue my peni-
worths of them for it." Marprel. Epistle (1588), 27
[Arber].
PICK, " pick thee hence " (806), be off, get thee gone :
literally pitch or throw yourself off. " Pick and walk."
Jack Juggler (E.E.D.S., Anon. Plays, 3 S., ijc).
PIECE, " such a fair piece " (26c), originally a person,
male or female : not always in contempt, though mostly
so.
PIGSNY, " mine own pigsny " (270), an endearment. " Go
we in, pigsnie."Jack Juggler (E.E.D.S., Anon. PI.,
3 Ser., lod).
PIPE, " Pipe, merry Annot " (200), apparently the refrain
of a popular song, probably much older than the play :
PROPERTY] Note-Book and Word-List 141
it is mentioned in A Pore Helpe (Hazlitt, Early Pop.
Poet., m. 260).
PISSING WHILE, " for a pissing while or twain " (981!), a
short time. "... But a pyssynge whyle, tant quon
auroyt pisse, or ce pendant." Palsgrave, Lang. Fran-
coyse (1539).
PLACEBO DILEXI, see Mock Requiem.
POLLING, " polling and bribes " (690), fleecing, swindling.
" He bribeth and he polleth " (Palsgrave).
POTGUN, " have . . . with my potgun " (960 ; also 93c),
probably, having regard to the mock heroics of the
action, a boy's toy, made (Nomenclator and Cotgrave)
of elder stick or a quill, the ammunition for which was
chewed paper. " They are but as the potguns of
boys." Hall, Married Clergy (1610), 148.
POTSTICK, " by God's precious potstick " (665), thought
to be a reference to the rod or pole on which the sponge
was lifted up during the passion of Christ. " By
Cock's precious podstick." Jack Juggler (Anon. PL,
3 Ser., 8c).
PRANKY-COAT (576), to prank = to dress showily and osten-
tatiously : cf. " a woman pranked up " (Holyband
Diet., 1593, s.v. Fame bien attintee).
PRECIOUS, " by Cock's precious " (99&), " blood,"
" wounds," " potstick," c., understood.
PRICK-ME-DAINTY (406), one affected and overprecise, a
" Lady Finnick." " There was a pryckmedenty, Sat
lyke a seynty, And began to paynty, As thoughe she
would faynty." Skelton, El. Rummyng (d. 1529), 582.
PRIEST, " I shall be thy priest " (iooa), i.e. kill you, as
a priest slays the sacrificial offering. " By the sorrows
of the souls in hell, Who first lays hands on me, I'll be
his priest." Kyd, Sp. Tragedy (1603), iii.
PROPER, " a proper man " (850), well-made, good-look-
ing, handsome, decent, respectable. " Moses
was hid three months . . . because ... he was a
proper child." Bible, Auth. Ver. (1611), Heb. xi. 23.
PROPERTY, " my duty, and name, and property " (ioia),
natural disposition, character. " Propriete, the nature,
142 Note-Book and Word-List [QUEAN
quality, inclination, or disposition of." Cotgrave, Diet.
(1611), s.v.
QUEAN, " this little quean " (980), primarily a woman,
without regard to position or morals : a differentiation
in spelling soon separated the senses. Hence in a
debased meaning quean = slut, hussy, strumpet. "At
churche in the charnel cheorles aren yuel to knowe,
Other a knyght fro a knaue other a queyne fro a
queene. " Langland, Piers Plowman (1362), ix. 46.
QUEEN'S PEACE (6a). If the date of Udall's play is to be
taken as 1550 then this was originally " King's peace,"
Elizabeth having ascended the throne 7 July, 1553.
Fleay and others hold that the play was re-written from
an Edward VI. interlude and revived Mar. 8, 1561.
Qui LAZARUM, see Mock Requiem.
RAMP, RAMPING, " good wenches would not so ramp
abroad " (440) " in whisking and ramping abroad "
(426?), usually to wanton, to indulge in lascivious horse-
play, but probably here in a somewhat weaker sense =
romping, gadding about.
RATHER, " later or rather " (68c), sooner, earlier.
" Causeth the daye to be rather by one bower's space."
Recorde, Cast. Knowl. (1551), 131.
"RAY, 'RAY, " keep your 'ray " (900, &c.), array, order.
RECORDER, " then to our recorder " (35^), a kind of flute
or flageolet. " The figure of recorders, and flutes, and
pipes are straight ; but the recorder hath a less bore
and a greater; above and below." Bacon, Sylva
(1626), 221.
RENNE, " your tongue can renne on pattens " (i8c), to
clatter, to go nineteen to the dozen : it occurs in Hey-
wood (E.E.D.S., Works, n. ii. 7).
REPREEF, " not wishing your repreef " (1060), reproach,
reproof.
REQUIEM, see Mock Requiem.
REVEL-ROUT, " keepeth revel-rout " (^c), revelry.
" Laughing, singing, dauncing in honour of that God.
After all this reuel-rout they demaund againe of the
ROISTER DOISTER] Note-Book and Word-List 143
Demoniake if the God be appeased." Purchas, Pil-
grimage (1613), 430.
RICHESSE, " richesse and substance " (706), riches : an
old form following the French.
ROIL, " ye roil abroad " (396), to range, roam, romp
about. " Were wont to rome and roil in clusters."
Stanihurst, Desc. of Ireland (1577), 21.
ROISTER DOISTER is ascribed to Nicholas Udall (q.v.) on
the authority of Sir Thomas Wilson, one of Udall 's
scholars at Eton, who gives the " ambiguous letter "
(pp. 61-3) in his Rule of Reason (3rd ed., 1553), intro-
ducing it as " an example of soche doubtful writing
whiche by reason of poincting maie haue double sense
and contrarie meaning, taken out of an entrelude made
by Nicholas Udal." From this passage the authorship
is inferred. Tanner, in 1748, had first referred to the
passage : "in Thos. Wilson's Logica, p. 69, sunt
quidem versus ambigui sensus ex Comcedia quadam
huius Nic. IJdalli desumpti." The date of Ralph
Roister Doister has always been a vexed question,
though, on the above showing, it cannot have been
written later than 1553. Some authorities hold that
it was originally composed in the reign of Henry VIII.
during Udall 's tenure of office at Eton, between 1534
and 1541, being written for performance by his pupils.
In support of this it is urged :
(a) that a ballad-monger, Jack Raker, who is more
than once mentioned by Skelton (1460-1529), is noted
as a contemporary ;
(b) that Roister Doister's oath, " by the arms of
Calais," points to the period when interest was keen
in the sole remaining English pied-a-terre in France.
Henry VIII.'s war with France commenced in 1509
and ended in 1546.
Others regard it as an Edward VI. interlude (1547-
53) which was revived March 8, 1561. Yet another
group of critics fix upon 1552 as the more probable date.
This view is mainly based on the fact that if Thomas
Wilson (already quoted), a pupil of Udall 's, had seen
the play at Eton the famous letter would have been
quoted in the first and second editions of his Rule of
Reason (1551 and 1552) ; whereas the first mention
144 Note-Book and Word-List [ROISTER DOISTER
actually occurs in the impression of 1553. Moreover,
the date of 1552 is regarded as explaining U chill's ap-
pointment as Director of the Court Revels in 1553-4.
Too much weight, however, cannot be placed on any
of these " incidental " arguments. The tendency of
" expert " criticism is towards hidebound fossilism and
an accentuation of the gulf that divides Tweedledee
from Tweedledum. All that is certain is that Roister
Doister was written not prior to 1534, and not later
than 1552. There are, of course, other allusions to
usury, and so forth but they all come under the same
category. The play was printed by Thomas Hackett
(Professor Arber dating it " ? 1566 "), as appears from
the Stationers' Company's Registers : " Recevyd of
Thomas hackett for hys lycense for pryntinge of a
play intituled Rauf Ruyster Duster." Here again
Wilson's reference seems to point to an earlier edition :
Hackett 's career as a printer-publisher ranges from
1560 to 1589. For long the play was regarded as lost,
and Bliss in 1813 (Wood, Athena Oxonienses) wrote
that " none of Udall's dramatic pieces are now sup-
posed to be in existence." In 1818, however, a copy,
lacking the title-page, was discovered by the Rev. T.
Briggs. First privately printing a small edition, he,
little knowing the full value of his gift, presented the
original to Eton College, where it still remains, the
flyleaf bearing the inscription : " The Gift of the Rev d
Tho Briggs to Eton Coll. Library, Dec r 1818." It
was in 1825 that John Payne Collier, working prob-
ably on Tanner's anticipation, first drew effective
public attention to the appropriate nature of the gift.
Since then many reprints have been made, though none
have been in facsimile. The Early English Drama
Society hope shortly to reproduce it in this form ; for,
no matter how carefully a reprint may be made, fac-
simile is " the only wear " for scholars ; and even in
this respect a careful watch must be kept on the
" artist in reproduction," to see that no blurred script
or text is manipulated according to his own sweet
fancy ; such restorations more properly should take
the form of "suggestions," "emendations," and
" notes," quite apart from the text. Variorum Read-
ings. " But it is no such matter " (gc), " the first
half line is not assigned to R.R.D. in E[ton copy] and
ROISTER DOISTER] Note-Book and Word-List 145
A[rber], but it should be " (Gayley) ; " if ye be " (gc),
Eton copy misprints he ; "I wish ye offend not so "
(gd), Eton copy places the comma after offend ; " Hir
yonder . . . Whom " (iia), so in Eton copy : Fliigel
writes Who ; "Great Guy" (130), Eton copy, Cuy ;
" remain ye awhile [here] " (i6b) not in Eton copy, in
which a comma is placed after awhile ; " a curried
coat" (216), Eton copy has a comma after coat;
" God 'ield you, sir " (22c), original has yelde " good-
will I bear ye " (22c), original has you, but the rhyme
needs ye ; " mock much of her " (26^), Hazlitt has
make; "Ah, sir! be good" (260), in original these
two lines are assigned to Roister; " No is?" (27^),
Hazlitt has is not ; " so much spare " (286), Cooper
(1847) has to spare; "fool's feather" (30^), Hazlitt
has fowl's : there are many ambiguities ; " Omncs
famuli " (316), Eton copy has famulce : but the musi-
cians are meant cf. " his men " (310); " Cantent "
(3 id), this song in the original appears at the end of the
play: given here for convenience; "Act II. Sc. i "
(340), see " that was with us last day " (36*;) ; " Exit "
(376), in original Doughty is made to go out ; " our
trick ferdegews " (400), original has ferdegews ; " No,
did [ye not] " (43^), Eton copy, no did, which mars the
rhyme : Fliigel prints No and Hazlitt supplies the same
reading as in present text; "water in her ship"
(46*;), Hazlitt reads a ship; "he hath in his head"
(Sob), original has a full point after head; " master-
ship . . . the Lord one day " (57*:), Eton copy omits
punctuation after mastership and Lord : Arber places a
period after mastership, as also does Fliigel, the latter
dividing day and ail-to by a " " ; " accept my ser-
vice " (6oc), Eton copy misprints sernice ; " You not
to make him answer " (6od), Hazlitt reads " Why not
make him," &c. ; " Nay, hold thy hands still " (690),
this is thus attributed in the Eton copy, though Arber,
Cooper,, and Hazlitt all give it to Merrygreek ;
" Sweetheart and pigsny " (791), this line is omitted
by Arber; " all may be in readiness " (731), Hazlitt
gives this line to Roister ; " his wife espoused " (73d),
Eton copy has comma after wife ; " shall suspect in
me " (750), Eton copy supect ; " fire thee out of thy
house " (Sod), Cooper and Hazlitt add " though I
die " for rhyme's sake; " I will see " (820), Williams
UDALL L
146 Note-Book and Word-List [ROME
(Temple Dramatists), reads still, which is in fact the
Eton version; " to set into this place " (84^), Hazlitt
reads fet ; " torn in pieces and flain" (85^), Hazlitt
reads slain- " Much things ye spake . . . mockage "
(8yd and 88a), the speakers of these two lines are
reversed in the Eton copy : obviously a mistake ;
" Yea, levy the camp " (950), this line in the Eton
copy is given by mistake to Roister, and the next two
lines, now rightly attributed to Roister, are to Trusty ;
" What say'st thou " (97^), the Eton copy reads you :
Gayley has [ttojou : Williams you : and Hazlitt thou ;
" Exeant Roister and his friends " (iooa), in Eton
copy Exeant om. " Exeat Trusty " (looc), this in Eton
copy is given at the end of the previous line ; " for
deed and thought ! " (104??), in Eton copy and Arber
" ?" for the " ! "; "and here were [ye] wished"
(1050), in Eton copy here were ye wished to have :
Fliigel has and here were [y at ] wished [ye\ to have :
Hazlitt as in present text ; " would I not be " (107^),
in Eton copy an interrogation mark; "maintain him
all we can " (io8a), in Eton copy maintaine.
ROME, " better go to Rome, on my head " (37c), prover-
bial phrases in allusion to the pilgrimage to Rome were
plenty : cf. " to go to Rome with a mortar on one's
head," " to ride to Rome on my thumb," &c.
ROUNDING, " with whom is he now so saflly rounding "
(260), whispering. "They're here with me already;
whisp'ring, rounding; Sfcilia is a so-forth." Shak-
speare, Winter's Tale (1604), i. 2.
ROUSE, " praise and rouse him well " (6c), command,
extol, excite by flattery.
ROUT, " they dare not rout " (gob), to assemble in noisy
or tumultuous crowds. " The meaner sort routed to-
gether, and . . . slew him." Bacon, Henry VII.
(1623), p. 68.
RUTH, " to me is ruth " (lood), pity, compassion, sorrow,
misery.
ST. GEORGE, (a) " Saint George to borrow " (940), i.e. as
a pledge, security : this substantive use of borrow is not
uncommon. " Beggars borowen euer, and their borow
is God Almighty. ... I dare be his bold borow, that
SIRRAH] Note-Book and Word- List 147
do bet wil he neuer. " Piers Plowman (1363), fol. 37?)
and 47&. (b) " As bright as Saint George " (766), see
next two lines and cf. Plautus, Miles Gl., i. i. i et
seq.
SADLY, "so sadly rounding yond, " earnestly, seriously,
gravely (whispering yonder). " She is never sad but
when she sleeps." Shakspeare, Much Ado (1600), ii. i.
Hence sadness (54^) = earnestness.
SAUCE, " Sir Sauce " (57^), " Mr. Impudence," an im-
pertinent : cf. " Jack Sauce," " saucebones," " sauce-
box," &c.
'ScAPETH, " he hardly 'scapeth " (146), escapeth.
SCRINE, " with a scrine " (930), chest, box, case : pro-
perly any depository for documents. " Lay forth, out
of thine everlasting scrine, The antique rolls."
Spenser, Fairy Queen (1590), I. (Introd.).
SCUSE, " a bad scuse " (1030), excuse.
SECTOR, " thou shalt be my sector " (540), executor.
SEEK, (a) " I seek to one Mistress Custance " (380)
" seek no more to me " (640) " did unto me seek "
(85^), resort, have recourse or apply to. " It was your
delight To seek to me with more obsequiousness Than
I desired." Massinger, Picture (1630), i. 2. (b) " Of a
chief thing I am to seek " (93?)), i.e. deficient, at a loss.
" Unpractised, unprepared, and still to seek." Milton,
Paradise Lost (1667), viii. 197.
SENS, " not brought him sens " (6jd), since, already.
SHENT (gd ; 196 ; &c.), chidden, blamed : ill-shent (45^),
badly, put about, troubled, disgraced, punished.
SHOKE, " ne'er so shake up " (^6c), rebuked, chided.
" Shoke him up, as if your wrath were hard to be re-
flected." Chapman, AH Fools (1605).
SHOOT-ANCHOR, " my chief shoot-anchor " (5^), last
resource. " His ointment is even shot-anchor." Hey-
wood, Four P.P., Works (E.E.D.S.) i., 46^.
SILLY, " poor silly widows " (816), harmless, simple,
timid.
SINK, see Swim.
SIRRAH (i8b), Tib is addressing the old nurse : sirrah and
L 2
148 Note-Book and Word-List [SKILL
sir were however not infrequently used of both sexes.
" Ah, syr [Grymball to his mistress], you woulde belike
let my cocke-sparrowes go." Whetstone, Promos and
Cass. (1578).
SKILL, " I cannot skill " (380), understand : can = know,
as in " She could the Bible in the holy tongue "
(Jonson, Magn. Lady, i. i).
SKIMMER, " I with our skimmer " (83c), ladle.
SLEB, " slee her other husband " (996), slew.
SLEEVE, " hang on [his] sleeve " ($c), be dependent.
" Flattering knaves and Hearing queans being the
mark, Hang on his sleeve." Hey wood, Proverbs
(E.E.D.S.), Works II., ii. 5.
SOOTH, " sooth Roister Doister in that he doth say "
(sd), assent to, confirm, humour : especially by flattery.
" Is't good to soothe him in these contraries? " Shak-
speare, Comedy of Errors (1593), iv. 4.
SORE, " a sore man " (zgd). " Grand abbateur de bois.
A sore fellow, horrible swaggerer, terrible Bugbear ;
one that overthrows all he meets with " (ironically).
Cotgrave, Diet. (1611).
SORRY, " the sorry man " (4<f), melancholy, dismal, sad.
" The place of death and sorry execution." Shak-
speare, Comedy of Errors (1593), v.
SORT (passim), company.
SOUND, " out of your sound " (560), swoon.
SPACE, " in space cometh grace " (560), time, a while :
in Heywood (Prov. i. iv. 17). " After some small space
he sent me hither." Shakspeare, As You Like It (1600),
iv.
SPOUSE, " my dear spouse " (33^), affianced. Compare
Gawin Goodluck's use of " wife " when speaking of
his betrothed (75<i), and Roister 's similar address to
Custance (770).
STALE, " good stale ale " (176), old : not new. " Crystal
pure and stale." Fulwell, Like Will to Like
(E.E.D.S.), 25& and 66a.
STANDBTH, ' the matter standcth upon your marriage "
(S6c), concerns, has to do with. " Consider how it
SWINGED] Note-Book and Word-List 149
stands upon my credit." Shakspeare, Comedy of
Errors (1593), iv. i.
STARK, " it will be stark night " (176), full, entire, per-
fect, absolute. " Consider the stark security The com-
monwealth is in now." Ben Jonson, Catiline (1611),
i. i.
START, " he start out'" (296), came out, started.
STICK, " I will not stick for a koss " (230), hesitate at,
be scrupulous about. " I will not stick for that, by
giss. " Preston, Cambyses (E.E.D.S.).
STOMACH (goc to gia), courage v. appetite : note the play
on meanings throughout these lines. " He who hath
no stomach to this fight, Let him depart." Shak-
speare, Henry V. (1599), iv. 3.
STOMACHED, " where ye half stomached " (776), was in-
clined to, liked.
STOP, " one stop more " (aoc), hindrance : the " busi-
ness " of the song on the part of these merry maids
seems to have been somewhat of the teasing order.
STOUND, " it needeth not that stound " ((t'jd), blow, set-
back. " This the sword which wrought those cruell
stounds." Spenser, Fairy Queen (1596), V. iii. 22.
STRANGE, " and made strange " (io8c), appeared shocked,
acted as if something extraordinary had happened,
made scruple. " She makes it strange, but she would
be best pleas 'd To be so anger 'd with another letter."
Shakspeare, Two Gentlemen of Verona (1595), i. 2.
SWAP, " sweep him with one swap " (83*;), swoop, blow,
stroke ; still colloquial.
SWIM, (a) swim or sink (210), proverbial ; take it or leave
it. "Choose you, sink or swim." Jacob and Esau
(E.E.D.S.), Anon. Plays, 2nd Ser., 35^. (b) " Ye shall
see her glide and swim " (406), move with a smooth
motion." " With pretty and with swimming gait."
Shakspeare, Midsummer Night's Dream (1592), ii. i.
SWINGED, " I will rather have my coat . . . swinged "
(43^), beaten, thrashed. " O, the passion of God ! so
I shalbe swinged." Marriage of Witt and Wisdome,
1579-
150 Note- Book and Word-List [TAKB
TAKE, " I have take my leave " (8c), taken.
TALL, " hardy man and a tall " (ggd), fine, brave, excel-
lent : frequent in Middle and Elizabethan English.
" One of the tallest young men." Paston Letters
(1448), 224.
TARDY, " we are taken tardy " (970), unexpectedly, un-
awares, " napping." " We are taken tardy." Lyly,
Mother Bombie (1594), ii. 4. i.
TBNDRETH, " whom he tendreth no less than his life "
(740), cherishes, regards, holds dear. " Which name I
tender as dearly as my own." Shakspeare, Romeo and
Juliet (1595), iii. i.
TENTH WORTHY, " it is the tenth worthy " (i3<f), properly
nine worthies or famous personages : three Jews
Joshua, David, and Judas Maccabaeus ; three Gentiles
Hector, Alexander, and Julius Caesar ; and three
Christians Arthur of Britain, Charlemagne, and
Godfrey of Bouillon. Here Merrygreek ridicules
Roister by mock-heroics, pretending he is worthy to
be classed with the classical nine : cf. Massinger's
" fourth fury " (Duke of Milan, v. 2).
THANK, (a) " I can thee thank " (iqc), i.e. am able to
thank you : a popular colloquialism of the day see
previous volumes of this series and Skill, supra, (b)
" I will none of his thank " (37c), now exclusively in
the plural.
THINK LONG, " she doth now . . . think long " (740),
long for, expect with impatience. " Long she thinks
till he return again." Shakspeare, Rape of Lucrece
(i594), 1,359-
THIRD CATO (140), a mock heroic description : see Tenth
worthy.
THUMB, " each finger is a thumb to-day " (2od), an ex-
cuse for awkwardness : still colloquial.
TITIVILE, " Tom Titivile " (sc). In English the History
of the Devil has yet to be written. Fliigel says " Tute-
ville " was originally the name of a devil in the
French Mystery Plays (cf. Mone, Schauspiele des
Mittelalters, 2. 27) ; from the French Mystery Play
the name was introduced into the Mysteries of Ger-
many, England, and Holland. His diabolical occupa-
UDALL] Note- Book and Word-List 151
tion is thus defined in the Myroure of oure Ladye (i
ch. 20; cf. Blunt 's note, 342; as well as Skeat's to
Pierce Plowm., C. xiv. 123) : "I am a poure dyuel
and my name is Tytyuyllus. . . I muste eche day
. . . brynge my master a thousande pokes [bags] full
of faylynges, & of neglygences in syllables and wordes
that are done in youre order in redynge and in
syngynge, & else I must be sore beten."
TOOK, " who took thee this letter "; " a . . . bachelor
took it me " (33^), gave. " Take him a gray courser."
Lytcll Geste of Robyn Hode.
TREY-ACE, " ere ye can say trey-ace " (s8c), dicing : i.e.
three and one.
TRICK, " our trick ferdegews " (400), trig, neat, spruce :
the usage dates from the eleventh century.
TRILL, see Bery.
TRIM, " I will him trim " (io8a), chide, scold, upbraid :
Tyndale (Works, ii. 313) records that the priests pro-
pose " to trim Queen Katherine. "
TROT, " the devil cannot make the old trot hold her
tongue " (igc), generic for an old woman. " Why give
her gold enough, and marry him to a puppet, aglet
baby, or an old trot with ne'er a tooth in her head."
Shakspeare, Taming of the Shrew (1593), i. 5.
TRY, " that shall we try " (200), prove. " Thou thinkest
me as far in the devil's book as thou and Falstaff for
obstinacy and persistency; let the end try the man."
Shakspeare, 2 Henry IV. (1598), ii. 2.
TUT, see Whistle.
TWAY, " a message or t-way " (740), two.
UDALL (NICHOLAS). Nicholas Udall (Uredale or Woodall),
who is now generally accepted as the author of Ralph
Roister Doister (q.v.), was a man of many parts in
his time public scholar, University man, heretic, re-
canter, Latin versifier, dictionary maker, potential
monk, schoolmaster, suspect, Marshalsea man, theo-
logical translator and author, prebend, playwright,
and Director of the Revels. He was descended from
an old Hampshire family settled at Wickham. One
15* Note-Book and Word-List [UDALL
of his ancestors was a Constable of Winchester and a
patron of William of Wykeham, the bishop-founder of
Winchester School and of New College, Oxford. Born
probably in 1505, though some say 1504 or 1506, he
was elected a scholar of Winchester College in 1517
(N.D.B.). In 1520, when fourteen years of age, he pro-
ceeded to Oxford to Corpus Christi College, then a re-
cent foundation of Bishop Fox's of Winchester. He
took his bachelor's degree in 1524 (Wood, Fasti), and
became probationer-fellow. Ten years elapsed, for
reasons which will appear, before he took his M.A.
degree. Oxford in the early sixteenth century was as
susceptible to the mental ferment of new ideas and
unorthodox influences as she has since proved herself
to be, over and over again. At the time when young
Udall went to his Alma Mater the memory and
teaching of Colet, More, and Erasmus were still vivid ;
the influence of Erasmus through his writings was
on the increase. Fired with the enthusiasm of youth,
he with others of like mind and tastes entered with
avidity on a study of Holy Writ. It was no wonder
that in such soil the new Lutheran doctrines found
congenial nurture and ready acceptance ; nor is it sur-
prising that in 1521 (Ellis, Orig. Letters, i. i. 239) we
find Warham complaining to Cardinal Wolsey of the
" heretical perversities " of the Oxford men. Six
years later he was arrested, by order of my lord car-
dinal, for having in his possession Tyndale's trans-
lation of the New Testament (published in 1525) and
sundry tracts written by Luther, who was then under
papal ban. Notwithstanding Udall 's reputation of
being one of the earliest adherents of the reformed
faith, his Protestantism does not seem then, or after-
wards, to have been very deeply rooted. On this
occasion he preferred his skin to his opinions, and seems
to have saved his life by public recantation. Later in
life, too, when a Catholic revival occurred under
Queen Mary, he was so circumspect that he retained
the royal favour : moreover, he does not seem to have
had any relations with the exiled reformers. It was
probably on account of his known sympathy with
Lutheran doctrines that he was debarred from taking
his M.A. degree until 1534, in which year he also be-
came Headmaster of Eton College. At that time
UDALL] Note- Book and Word- List 153
Wolsey had fallen from power, and the King had
also definitely declared open conflict with, and
antagonism to, Rome by the " Act of Supremacy "
passed in that year. In the course of his college
career Udall had made fast friends with John Leland
the antiquary, who, taking his degree in 1522 at
Cambridge, continued his studies at the sister univer-
sity. Leland got into difficulties and Udall came to
his assistance, lending him money (Ep. de lib. Nic.
Odoualli) : indeed, Leland 's poems contain many re-
ferences to the friendship existing between the two
young men. They collaborated in the authorship of
verses for a pageant at the Coronation of Queen
Anne Boleyn (1533), and from other verses written
by Leland we learn that Udall commenced his career
as a tutor in the north of England. He could not,
however, have remained there long, for in 1534 he
was in London, in the exercise of his profession.
Whether, as some think, his thoughts were turned
towards monasticism or not, he, in February, 1534,
dated and dedicated the preface of a Latin phrase-
book Flowers for Latin Speaking to his own pupils
from the Augustinian monastery in London. Thence,
in the same year the year, as already stated, in which
to took his degree he was translated to Eton as
Headmaster (Magister Informator) to " that roume
which I was never desirous to obtain." Udall re-
mained at Eton for nearly eight years, until 1541, in
which year he was superseded in consequence of the
discovery of grave abuses, of which more presently.
Several references to Udall 's rule at Eton are extant.
One especially is noteworthy, though it is difficult at
this time of day to hold the mirror to justly balanced
criticism between Tom Tusser (of Husbandry fame)
and his Magister. Tusser allows of no uncertainty
as to his opinion of Udall 's discipline the lines are
often quoted :
" From Paules I went to Eaton sent
To learn streight waies, the latin phraies,
When fiftie three stripes giuen to mee
At once I had :
" For fault but small, or none at all,
It came to pas, thus beat I was,
154 Note-Book and Word- List [UDALL
See Udall see, the mercie of thee,
To me poore lad."
It was in 1541 that Udall fell into disgrace. Grave
abuses, if nothing worse, were found to have attended
his administration. At the same time some of the
College Chapel plate silver images and the like
disappeared. Two of the scholars and a servant of
Udall 's confessed the theft, and from the judicial
inquiry into these and other charges it would seem
that Udall was suspected of connivance. Professor
Morley assigns Udall 's Lutheran tendencies as the
keynote to the theological hatred underlying these and
other " infamous " imputation's levelled at Udall.
The curious feature of the case is that Udall confessed
to these charges in part the less heinous judicially
and the price of his wrongdoing was committal to the
prison of the Marshalsea, and deprivation of his office
as Headmaster of Eton. Court influence, however,
soon secured his release, all arrears of salary being
paid by the College bursar. If we may accept Udall 's
own words as indicative of the chastening influence of
the discipline he had undergone, the lesson, a severe
one though it was, had been effectual. He wrote to
the patron who had brought about his release :
" Accepte this myn honest chaunge from vice to vir-
tue, from prodigalitee to frugall livyng, from negli-
gence of teachyng to assiduitee, from playe to studie,
from lightness to gravitee. " He speaks about his
" offenses," does not wish to excuse himself, but says
" humana quidem esse, et emendari posse." He begs
for a chance to show his " emendyng and reformacon, "
and quotes instances from ancient history of great
men who had indulged in a " veray riottous and dis-
solute sorte of livyng " in their youth, had been
" drowned in voluptuousness " and had lived in
" slaundre and infamie," but had reformed. Not a
word is said about thefts, "robberies," and such
" felonious trespasses." (Cf. the whole letter from a
new collation in Fliigel's Lesebuch, i. 351.) We next
hear of Udall (1542) as the bearer of letters to the
Bishop of Carlisle from the Lord of the Privy Seal,
showing that he was in favour at Court. In 1542
also appeared his part translation of Erasmus's
UDALL] Note-Book and Word-List 155
Apophthegms. Thenceforth, until 1548, he was chiefly
engaged, with the Princess Mary as collaborateur, on
the English translation of Erasmus's Paraphrase of
the New Testament. At this time he must have come
in frequent contact with John Heywood ; but the
sympathies and leanings of the two men were not such
as to lead to closer intimacy than subsequently their
mutual connection with the Revels necessitated. Since
r 537 ne had been vicar of Braintree in Essex, a bene-
fice which he resigned in 1544 ; his literary labours,
combined with his active duties as a licensed preacher,
probably influenced him in his resignation. This close
association of Udall with the Court led to many signs
of royal favour. King Edward VI. appointed him
Canon of Windsor in 1551, and also in 1553 rector
of Calborne in the Isle of Wight. When the Princess
Mary came to the throne Udall was in such esteem
with his former co-worker that, notwithstanding his
heretical leanings, he was retained in favour, a special
warrant being issued (1554) in which he was made
Director of the Court Revels, and set to provide
" regell disporte and recreacion," having shown "at
soondrie seasons . . . diligence " in arranging " Dia-
logues and Enterludes." In the Losely Manuscripts
we find (p. 90) a memorandum of some of the " plays "
provided at these Christmas revels : " A mask of
patrons of gallies like Venetian senators, with galley-
slaves for their torche-bearers ; a mask of 6 Venuses
or amorous ladies with 6 Cupids and 6 torche-bearers
to them," and certain " plaies made by Nicholas
Udall "; and some " Turkes archers," " Turkes ma-
gistrates," " Turkie women," and " 6 lions' hedds of
paste and cement." Udall did not live very long after
this to enjoy the sunshine of royal favour, nor do we
know whether it survived the pageants of Christmas,
1554, before Mary and Philip. In 1555 he succeeded
Nowell as Master of Westminster School, but the re-
opening of the old monastery in November of the fol-
lowing year (1556) rendered his services superfluous.
A month later he was dead, being buried in St. Mar-
garet's, Westminster, two days before Christmas Day.
Lost Plays and other Writings. Besides Roister
Doister (q.v.) Udall wrote " comoedias plures " (Bale,
Catalogus, 1548). The warrant of 1554 likewise
156 Note-Book and Word-List [UDALL
makes mention, as already stated, of " Dialogues and
interludes. " What these were is absolutely unknown
save in two instances. In Nichols's Progresses of
Queen Elizabeth, 3. 177, it is recorded that " this day
(Aug. 8) was nothing done publique, save that at 9
of the clocke at night an English play called Ezckias,
made by Mr. Udall and handled by King's College
men only," was performed before Elizabeth at Cam-
bridge. That is all we know about Ezechias. There
is no record in King's College. The present Master
has made search for me, and he writes : " I do not
know of any new discoveries as to Udall 's Ezechias :
there is no record in College. I have looked at the
Mundum Book for 1564. There are about three pages
of expenses connected with the Queen's visit; chiefly
payments to workmen for so many days at so much a
day ; timber, rushes, lime, gravel, &c. I could only
find one entry specifically relating to the plays :
viz. :
Item sol m r Thome Browne for expenses about
the playes as appereth by his byll vi" xiii iiii d
ob
The next entry is
Item sol to the drumer and flute iiii 1 "
Another play, Papatus, is mentioned by Tanner, Bibl.
Brit. p. 732 " a tragedy de papatu " as amongst the
writings of Nicholas Udall, but whether in Latin or
English is not stated. It was written about 1540.
The Scheme for an Interlude attributed by Hazlitt
(Handbook, p. 622) to Udall is doubtful : it occurs on
p. 64 of the Losely Manuscripts (edited by A. J.
Kempe) and is No. 32. Certainly it follows imme-
diately after the warrant of Queen Mary to the
Master and Yeoman of the Revels of Dec., 1554 (No.
31), but there is no note as to what the Interlude was,
or who was the author. If a guess were to be made,
Heywood would be more likely than Udall : even that
would be hazardous, although on page 89 of the same
collection are to be found accounts for "furnishing a
play on the state of Ireland, and another of Children,
by Heywood." As, however, the " scheme " is worth
permanent record it may not be out of place to tran-
scribe it word for word in this place :
USURERS] Note-Book and Word- List 157
Plot or Scheme of an Interlude endorsed " Con-
cerning an Enterlude " (in 3 cols.) :
(a) a Knighte in harnes Knyghthode.
a Judge .... Justice with mercie.
a Precher .... Religion with Godde's
worde.
a Scoller .... Science with reson.
a Serving Man . . Service with Affexion.
........ Labor with diligence.
(6) A woman with two faces and in each hand a
glasse.
A woman with a paire of ballance.
A woman with a bible in her hands.
Labor, a woman with many hands.
(c) Pride ...... a Pope.
Wrath ...... a Bishop.
Envie ...... a Fryer.
Covetise ..... a Person.
Glotonye ..... a sole Prieste.
Lecherye ..... a Monk.
Slothe ...... a Hermit.
UNDERTAKE, " if all the world for her would undertake "
intercede.
UNNETH, " I shall unneth hold them " (6yd), scarcely,
with difficulty.
USE, " I use not to kiss men " (230 and 6), accustom,
habituate, comport, demean. " He that intends to
gain th' Olympick prize, Must use himself to hunger,
heat, and cold." Roscommon (Ency. Diet.).
USURERS, " where other usurers take their gains yearly."
" This man is angry, but he have his by and by "
(uoa), this allusion to the Usury Statutes is not (says
Prof. Flugel, discussing the date of the play in Gay-
ley's Representative Comedies [Macmillan], p. 96)
to a date later than the repeal, in 1552, of 37 Henry
VIII., c. 9, but to a period between 1545 and 1552. In
Act V., Scene vi., [iogc to uoa], Custance blames
Roister humorously, not for taking interest at all, but
for taking too much (fifteen to one !), and for taking
it right away instead of waiting until the year was up.
158 Note-Book and Word-List [VARIORUM
The passage, therefore, does not refer to the law passed
5 and 6 Edward VI., c. 20 (1552), which repeals 37
Henry VIII., c. 9, and orders that " no person shall
lend or forbear any sum of money for any maner of
Usury or Increase to be received or hoped for above
the Sum lent, upon pain to forfeit the Sum lent, and
the Increase, [with] Imprisonment, and Fine at the
king's pleasure." The passage refers to 37 Henry
VIII., c. 20 (1545), to a law which allows ten per cent,
interest : " The sum of ten pound in the hundred, and
so after that rate and not above," and which forbids
the lender " to receive, accept or take in Lucre or Gain
for the forbearing or giving Day of Payment of one
whole year of and for his or their money," for any
other " Period " but the year, not " for a longer or
shorter time."
VARIORUM READINGS, see Roister Doister.
'ViSE, " I 'vise ye " (260), advise.
WAG-PASTY, " a little wag-pasty " (466), scapegrace,
jackanapes, torn-tit of a fellow : a generic reproach,
half-playful, half-contemptuous. " This wage-pasty is
either drunken or mad." Jack Juggler (E.E.D.S.),
Anon. Plays, 3 Ser., 280).
WARM, " keep him warm " (500), cf. Much Ado, i. i. 56 :
" Wit enough to keep himself warm " ; Chapman,
Wid. Tears (ed. Pearson, p. 17) : " Has thy wits fine
engine taken cold? " Middleton, Roaring Girl, in. ii.
43. (Williams.)
WARRANTISE, " I cannot . . . make to you such war-
rantise " (916), warrant, guarantee.
WEALTH, " for his master's wealth " (30 and 73*:), wel-
fare.
WEEK, " in by the week " (-jc), cf. " He is taken, he is in
the snare ; he is in for a bird, he is in by the week,"
Shakspeare, Love's Lab. Lost (1594), v. 2. 61.
WHAN, " nay whan " (S7&), when.
WHIPPET, " now whippet apace " (2nd), to jump or frisk
about, move quickly. " With whippet awhile, little
WIPE] Note-Book and Word-List 159
pretty one." Pride, <5rc., of Women (Hazlitt, E.P.P.,
iv. 234).
WHIRL, " your spindle and your whirl " (ifd), a small
perforated disk forming a rude fly-wheel, formerly
fixed on the spindle to maintain its rotatory motion be-
fore the introduction of the spinning wheel (Ency.
Diet.).
WHISTLE, " tut, a -whistle " (26^), a warning to silence;
Pooh! Nonsense! "Tut, a fig's end." Warning for
Fair Women, 438. " Set not by us a whistle."
Skelton, Colin Clout, 1187.
WHITE, " white Mistress Custance " (7gc), fair : an appre-
ciation : cf. White son.
WHITE BREAD, " good ale and white bread " (i7&), '?
uncommon fare, or wheat-bread for that made of
a mixture of wheat and rye-flour. The value of rye is
about two-thirds that of wheat ; its nutritious proper-
ties are to those of wheat as about 64 to 71.
WHITE SON (6c), an endearment ; see other volumes of
this series.
WHOM, " Merrygreek, Whom " (no), so in original.
WHORESON, " whoresons, down to the ground " (SQC), a
term of reproach.
WHUR, " for whip and whur . . . never made good fur "
(ijd), hurry. " Whirring me from my friends."
Shakspeare, Pericles (1609), iv. i. 21. See Whirl.
WIDE, " I tell thee thou art wide " (270), mistaken, far
from the mark.
WIFE, " dame Christian Custance, his wife " (73^ and
770), cf. spouse (33^) ; also wife (75^ and 770) ; brother
(68d) ; cousin (68d).
WIPE, " wipe all clean " (22c), a common phrase (says
one) in connection with kissing : cf. Chaucer, Cant.
Tales, Reeve's Tale, A. 3730 " This Absolon gan
wipe his mouth full drie . . . with his mouth he kist
her."
160 Note-Book and Word-List [zo
WORLD, " let the world pass " (szd), a mediaeval fore-
runner of the American "Let her rip," i.e. "Come
what, come will." Early variants are many : see
Towneley Myst., 101. " Let the world wag." Trial
of Treasure (E.E.D.S., Anon. PL, 3 S., 2140). " Let
the wide world wind." Four Elements (E.E.D.S.,
Anon. PI., i S., i6a). " Let the world slide."
Shakspeare, Taming of Shrew.
WORM, " as loving a worm " (486), the expression was
common enough, but why is not so apparent : cf. Lyly,
Campaspe, v. 4 (" two loving worms ") ; and Robin-
son, Pleas. Del. (Arber), 37 (" ye loving worms ").
WORTHY, see Tenth worthy.
WRONG, " he wrong a cl
wrung : see Belzabub.
ZEE (296), see : dialectical.
ZBMBLETEE, " by eemllet
(Fliigel) ; " quasi semt
Zo (29?)), so : dialectical.
WRONG, " he wrong a club out of the hand " (29*!),
wrung : see Belzabub.
ZBMBLETEE, " by tembletee " (zgd), " by the holy blood ! "
(Fliigel) ; " quasi semblety, semblance " (Hazlitt).
R. CLAY AND SONS, LTD., BREAD ST, HILL, E.C., AND BUNGAY, SUFFOLK.
PR Udall, Nicholas
3176 The drprmtic writings of
U3AU Nicholas Ud*ll
cop. 2
PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE
CARDS OR SLIPS FROM THIS POCKET
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO LIBRARY
