Chapter M: Merygreeke. Ralph Roister. Gawyn Goodlucke. Tristram Trustie. C

CUSTANCE.

_M. Mery._ Yond I see Gawyn Goodlucke, to whome lyeth my message,
I will first salute him after his long voyage,
And then make all thing well concerning your behalfe.

_R. Royster._ Yea for the pashe of God.

_M. Mery._ Hence out of sight ye calfe,
Till I have spoke with them, and then I will you fet[--] 5

_R. Royster._ In Gods name.

_M. Mery._ What Master Gawin Goodluck wel met
And from your long voyage I bid you right welcome home.

_Ga. Good._ I thanke you.

_M. Mery._ I come to you from an honest mome.

_Ga. Good._ Who is that?

_M. Mery._ Roister Doister that doughtie kite.

_C. Custance._ Fye, I can scarce abide ye shoulde his name recite. 10

_M. Mery._ Ye must take him to favour, and pardon all past,
He heareth of your returne, and is full yll agast.

_Ga. Good._ I am ryght well content he have with us some chere.

_C. Custance._ Fye upon hym beast, then wyll not I be there.

_Ga. Good._ Why Custance do ye hate hym more than ye love me? 15

_C. Custance._ But for your mynde[604] sir, where he were would I not
be[.][605]

_T. Trusty._ He woulde make us al laugh.

_M. Mery._ Ye nere had better sport.

_Ga. Good._ I pray you sweete Custance, let him to us resort.

_C. Custance._ To your will I assent.

_M. Mery._ Why, suche a foole it is,[606]
As no man for good pastime would forgoe or misse. 20

_G. Goodl._ Fet him to go wyth us.

_M. Mery._ He will be a glad man. _Ex._

_T. Trusty._ We must to make us mirth,[607] maintaine[608] hym all we
can.
And loe yond he commeth and Merygreeke with him. H iv _b_

_C. Custance._ At his first entrance ye shall see I wyll him trim.
But first let us hearken the gentlemans wise talke. 25

_T. Trusty._ I pray you marke if ever ye sawe crane so stalke.

Actus. v. Scæna. vi.

R. ROISTER. M. MERYGREEKE. C. CUSTANCE. G. GOODLUCKE. T. TRUSTIE. D.
DOUGHTIE. HARPAX.

_R. Royster._ May I then be bolde?

_M. Mery._ I warrant you on my worde,
They say they shall be sicke, but ye be at theyr borde.

_R. Royster._ Thei wer not angry then[?]

_M. Mery._ Yes at first, and made strange
But when I sayd your anger to favour shoulde change,
And therewith had commended you accordingly, 5
They were all in love with your mashyp by and by.
And cried you mercy that they had done you wrong.

_R. Royster._ For why, no man, woman, nor childe can hate me long.[609]

_M. Mery._ We feare (quod they) he will be avenged one day,
Then for a peny give all our lives we may. 10

_R. Royster._ Sayd they so in deede[?]

_M. Mery._ Did they? yea, even with one voice
He will forgive all (quod I) Oh how they did rejoyce.

_R. Royster._ Ha, ha, ha. 13

_M. Mery._ Goe fette hym (say they) while he is in good moode,
For have his anger who lust, we will not by the Roode. 15

_R. Royster._ I pray God that it be all true, that thou hast me tolde,
And that she fight no more.

_M. Mery._ I warrant you, be bolde
Too them, and salute them. [_advance towards Goodl., etc._]

_R. Royster._ Sirs, I greete you all well.

_Omnes._ Your maistership is welcom.

_C. Custance._ Savyng my quarell.
For sure I will put you up into the Eschequer.[610] 20

_M. Mery._ Why so? better nay: Wherfore?

_C. Custance._ For an usurer.[611]

_R. Royster._ I am no usurer good mistresse by his armes.

_M. Mery._ When tooke he gaine of money to any mans harmes?

_C. Custance._ Yes, a fowle usurer he is, ye shall see els[--] I i

_R. Royster_ [_aside to M._] Didst not thou promise she would picke no
mo quarels? 25

_C. Custance._ He will lende no blowes, but he have in recompence
Fiftene for one,[611] whiche is to muche of conscience.

_R. Royster._ Ah dame, by the auncient lawe of armes, a man
Hath no honour to foile his handes on a woman.

_C. Custance._ And where other usurers[612] take their gaines
yerely, 30
This man is angry but he have his by and by.

_Ga. Goodl._ Sir, doe not for hir sake beare me your displeasure.

_M. Mery._ Well, he shall with you talke therof more at leasure.
Upon your good usage, he will now shake your hande.

_R. Royster._ And much heartily welcome from a straunge lande. 35

_M. Mery._ Be not afearde Gawyn to let him shake your fyst.

_Ga. Goodl._ Oh the moste honeste gentleman that ere I wist.
I beseeche your mashyp to take payne to suppe with us.

_M. Mery._ He shall not say you nay and I too, by Jesus.
Bicause ye shall be friends, and let all quarels passe. 40

_R. Royster._ I wyll be as good friends with them as ere I was.

_M. Mery._ Then let me fet your quier that we may have a song.

_R. Royster._ Goe.

_G. Goodluck._ I have hearde no melodie all this yeare long.

_M. Mery_ [_to the musicians whom he has called in_]. Come on sirs
quickly.

_R. Royster._ Sing on sirs, for my frends sake.

_D. Dough._ Cal ye these your frends? 45

_R. Royster._ Sing on, and no mo words make.

_Here they sing._[613]

_Ga. Good._ The Lord preserve our most noble Queene of renowne,
And hir virtues rewarde with the heavenly crowne.

_C. Custance._ The Lorde strengthen hir most excellent Majestie,
Long to reigne over us in all prosperitie.

_T. Trusty._ That hir godly proceedings the faith to defende,[614] 50
He may stablishe and maintaine through to the ende.

_M. Mery._ God graunt hir as she doth, the Gospell to protect,[615]
Learning and vertue to advaunce, and vice to correct.[616]

_R. Royster._ God graunt hir lovyng subjects both the minde and grace,
Hir most godly procedyngs worthily to imbrace. I i _b_ 55

_Harpax._ Hir highnesse most worthy counsellers[617] God prosper,
With honour and love of all men to minister.

_Omnes._ God graunt the nobilitie[618] sir to serve and love,
With all the whole commontie as doth them behove. 59

AMEN.

Certaine Songs to be song by _those which shall use this Comedie or
Enterlude_

THE SECONDE SONG[619]

Who so to marry a minion Wyfe,
Hath hadde good chaunce and happe,
Must love hir and cherishe hir all his life,
And dandle hir in his lappe. 4

If she will fare well, yf she wyll go gay,
A good husbande ever styll,
What ever she lust to doe, or to say,
Must lette hir have hir owne will. 8

About what affaires so ever he goe,
He must shewe hir all his mynde,
None of hys counsell she may be kept fr[o]e,[620]
Else is he a man unkynde. 12

THE FOURTH SONG.[621]

I mun be maried a Sunday
I mun be maried a Sunday,
Who soever shall come that way, [I ii]
I mun be maried a Sunday. 4

Royster Doyster is my name,
Royster Doyster is my name,
A lustie brute[622] I am the same,
I mun be maried a Sunday. 8

Christian Custance have I founde,
Christian Custance have I founde,
A Wydowe worthe a thousande pounde,
I mun be maried a sunday. 12

Custance is as sweete as honey,
Custance is as sweete as honey,
I hir lambe and she my coney,
I mun be maried a Sunday. 16

When we shall make our weddyng feast,
When we shall make our weddyng feast,
There shall bee cheere for man and beast,
I mun be maried a Sunday. 20
I mun be maried a Sunday, etc.

The Psalmodie.[623]

_Placebo dilexi_,
Maister Roister Doister wil streight go home and die,
Our Lorde Jesus Christ his soule have mercie upon.
Thus you see to day a man, to morow[624] John.[625]
Yet saving for a womans extreeme crueltie, 5
He might have lyved yet a moneth or two or three,
But in spite of Custance which hath him weried, I ii. _b_
His mashyp shall be worshipfully buried.
And while some piece of his soule is yet hym within,
Some parte of his funeralls let us here beginne. 10
_Dirige._ He will go darklyng to his grave.
_Neque lux, neque crux, nisi solum_ clinke,[626]
Never gentman so went toward heaven I thinke.[627]
Yet sirs as ye wyll the blisse of heaven win,
When he commeth to the grave lay hym softly in, 15
And all men take heede by this one Gentleman,
How you sette your love upon an unkinde woman:
For these women be all suche madde pievish elves,
They wyll not be woonne except it please them selves.
But in faith Custance if ever ye come in hell, 20
Maister Roister Doister shall serve you as well.
Good night Roger old knave, Farewel Roger olde knave.
Good night Roger olde knave, knave, knap.
_Nequando. Audiui vocem. Requiem æternam._

The Peale[628] of belles rong by the parish Clerk, _and Roister
Doisters foure men_

THE FIRST BELL A TRIPLE.[629]

When dyed he? When dyed he?

THE SECONDE

We have hym, We have hym.

THE THIRDE

Royster Doyster, Royster Doyster.

THE FOURTH BELL

He commeth, He commeth.

THE GREATE BELL

Our owne, Our owne.

FINIS.

FOOTNOTES:

[328] Cf. Prol. to _Jack Juggler_.

[329] Cf. the "lerned men" in the Prol. to the English _Andria_, circa 1520.

[330] The northern plural.

[331] To be the bell-wether, to excel.

[332] Cf. Camden's _Proverbs_, p. 264; Ray's _Proverbs_, p. 132.

[333] _Roger bon temps_: a mad rascal, a merry greek; _Gringalet_: a merry grig ... rogue, etc. (Cotgrave).

[334] A. has 'know.'

[335] See _Like well to Like_, Dodsley, 3: 337.

[336] Cf. Robert the Ryfelar, etc., in _Pierce Plowman_; Peter Piebaker, etc., in _Thersytes_; Margery Mylkeducke, etc., in Skelton.

[337] Cf. More's lines to Davy the dycer (_Works_, p. 1433ª.)

[338] See Appendix _C_.

[339] Cf. Ben Jonson's _New Inn_, II. ii.

[340] Cf. Hankin boby in _Thersytes_; Handy-dandy in _P. Plowman_; Huddy-peke in _Four Elements_, in Skelton, etc.; _ib._ hoddy poule (= "dunder-head," Dyce).

[341] "This ointment is even shot-anchor," Heywood's _Four PP_. (= last resort).

[342] Cf. ll. 47, 49; for the whole scene cf. Plautus, _Miles Glor._ v. 31 _sqq._: _Et adsentandumst quicquid bic mentibitur_; also Ter. _Eunucbus_, II. ii, 252 _et seq._

[343] Cf. Palsgrave, 542: "I face as one dothe that brauleth."

[344] boasting.

[345] Of course 'kinges' if written before July 7, 1553; probably changed to 'Queen' (= Elizabeth) by the printer. (Fleay conjectures, _Hist. Stage_, p. 59, that _R. D._ was revived March 8, 1561; the play having been rewritten from an Edward VI. interlude. _Gen. Ed._)

[346] The 'n' transferred from 'myne' (my nowne). Cf. _nuncle_, etc.

[347] Cf. _Like will to Like_,329; Leland calls Udall _niveum ... sodalem_; Cooper's ed. XXVII.

[348] Heywood's _Prov._; _Lear_, V. iii, 15.

[349] _R. R. D._ addresses _M._ with 'thou' 'thee,' whereas _M._ uses--on the whole--'you, ye' (to _R. R. D._); cf. Skeat's _William of Palerne_, XLI. note; Zupitza's _Guy_, v. 356, note.

[350] Cf. _Miles_, v. 1063.

[351] The first half line is not assigned to _R. R. D._ in E. and A.; but it should be. _Gen. Ed._

[352] certainly; cf. 'hardily,' Chauc. _C. T. Prol._ v. 156.

[353] E. has the comma after 'offende.'

[354] E. misprints _he_ for 'ye'; corrected by C. and H.

[355] An oath = by God's armes; cf. V. vi, 22.

[356] Cf. _Thersytes_, Dodsley, 1, 403.

[357] Cf. _Phil Soc. Dict._ s.v. A _prep._ § 11; C. and H. drop the 'a.'

[358] The quotation marks are the editor's.

[359] E., 'Whom.'

[360] never; C., 'ne're'; H., 'ne'er.'

[361] Middle Engl. comparative; cf. _near_, _ner_, etc.

[362] Cf. Plautus, _Miles_, 965.

[363] 'an.'

[364] Cf. Heywood's _Proverbs_, I. ch. 11 (72); 300 _Epigrams_, 158.

[365] _mastership_; see l. 116, etc.; cf. 'ientman,' III. v, 8; 'gemman,' etc.

[366] Cf. Plaut. _Miles_, 1061.

[367] Cf. _ib._: _Neu ecastor nimis uilist tandem._

[368] Cf. _ib._ 68, _et passim_; and Terent. _Eunuch._ V. viii, 62.

[369] Cf. Plaut. _Miles_, 1264, and the whole of the first scene.

[370] Cf. 'Ko I,' 'Ko she,' III. iii, 21, 35; 'Ko you,' III. iv, 131; _Pericles_, II. i. 82; "Die Ke-tha?" 'company quotha?' _Four Elements_ [Dodsley, 1, 23].

[371] Cf. _Thersites_, [Dodsley, 1, 399, 400].

[372] E., 'Cuy.'

[373] _diabolicae staturae_; see _Guy of Warwick_, v. 9945, etc.

[374] _Brutus_, of the British, Welsh or Arthurian story, hence generally a hero [Murray].

[375] 'Alie' = Hali, Haly, Holy? _or_ Alye = _affinis_ = of the neighbouring country?

[376] Cf. Plaut. _Miles_, 777; Achilles, _ib._ 1054.

[377] _Tertius e caelo cecidit Cato_, Juven. _Sat._ 2, 40.

[378] Cf. Plaut. _Miles_, 65.

[379] Cf. "a prince of highe parage," _Chester Plays_, 1, 157.

[380] Cf. Caxton's "faytes of armes" (_Prol. Eneydos_), the _M. L._ "facta guerrae, armorum."

[381] E., 'They' (not 'That,' as A. reads).

[382] love; cf. III. iv, 99. Baby-talk? or the language of the Dutch 'minions'? Hazlitt says: a colloquialism still in use. But the dictionaries are silent.

[383] R. uses 'you'; cf. I. ii, 8.

[384] Cf. Palsgrave, 477, "Je revolve."

[385] Cf. I. iv, iii, etc., C. & H. 'To.'

[386] Not in E.; added by C. In E., the comma is after 'while.'

[387] Cf. I. ii, 44; IV. vi, 7.

[388] Cf. Reinhardstoettner, _Plautus_, etc., 671: _Capitano Spavento viene con li musici per far una mattinata a Isabella_.

[389] specimen.

[390] On Mumblecrust, etc., see Appendix _D_.

[391] Interrupting Mage.

[392] Better fare than usual. See Harrison's _Description of Engl._ in Holinshed's _Chron._ 1, 168 (ed. 1587).

[393] Note the fondness for proverbs, a trait taken from life and often to be found in later plays.--Sherwood: To whurre, whurle (or yarre) as a dog, _Gronder comme un chien_. Cooper: scolding. It is perhaps = whirr, whirret (slashing, slash)?

[394] Cf. III. iii, 102; Heywood's _Proverbs_, 1, ch. 2 (p. 6); Camden's _Proverbs_, 276, 277, etc.

[395] Apparently vv. 17, 18.

[396] Heywood's _Proverbs_, 2, ch. 7. Patten: a wooden shoe that made a great clattering.

[397] Wager; cf. _G. G. N._, I. iii, 20; I. iv, 47.

[398] entering.

[399] Sherwood: _Une vieille charougne_. A tough toothlesse trot, etc.

[400] The same song is alluded to in _A pore Helpe_ (Hazlitt's _Early Pop. Poetry_, 3, 253).

[401] stitch.

[402] Cf. _whippit_ (in Halliwell): to jump about, etc. In _A Treatise shewing ... the Pryde and Abuse of Women Now a Dayes_ (c. 1550): "With whippet a whyle lyttle pretone, Prancke it, and hagge it well," etc.

[403] E. has comma.

[404] Murray's earliest quotation for 'here away,' etc., is from 1564.

[405] Sherwood: _Bon mesnagier_.

[406] bring to an end.

[407] yield it you = reward.

[408] I had; I wot. The dialect (generally southern, but occasionally also northern) used by rustic characters in the earlier plays; _e.g._ in _G. G. N._, _Trial of Treasure_, _Like will to Like_, etc.

[409] Cf. _G. G. N._ v. 211; Heywood, _Prov._ 2, ch. 7; Camden, _Prov._ 268.

[410] mincing, coy.

[411] Cf. the whispering scene in the _Trial of Treasure_.

[412] Cf. the slave of Polymachæroplagides in Plaut. _Pseudolus_.

[413] Hazlitt: intentional nonsense for '_nobis miscebetur_[!] _miserere_.' Liturgical words muttered indistinctly and used here jocosely. Heywood: "betweene you and your Ginifinee _Nycebecetur_" (_Prov._ 1, ch. 11, p. 57 = 'What's her name?' _Nescio quid dicitur?_).

[414] Cf. 'spoke,' V. v, 5; and 'take,' III. iii, 135.

[415] make (Hazlitt).

[416] avise, advise.

[417] R.'s oaths are generally not so strong; I count in _G. G. N._ 48 oaths beginning with, By Gog's, Cocks, etc.

[418] For the rhyme's sake; cf. Wilson's _Rhetorique_, 202: _Reticencia_, A whisht or warning to speake no more.

[419] These lines are assigned to R. in E.

[420] Cf. Sherwood: _Grison_, gray with age, ... grizle.

[421] This part of the scene is the reverse of Plaut. _Miles_, v. 1000 _seq._, where Pal. has difficulties in keeping Pyrg. from falling in love with the servant.

[422] Cf. _G. G. N._ p. 252.

[423] 'Is it not she?' cf. v. 88; II. iv, 14. Elliptical construction, cf. Heywood, _Johan_, ll. 26 and 624.

[424] friendly (Cotgr.).

[425] Cf. Chaucer's _Miller's Tale_, 3268, Skelton, etc.

[426] C., 'to' spare.

[427] Cf. the first scene in Plaut. _Miles_. Instead of the blue spider, etc., Thersites kills Cotswold Lions, fights against a snail, as Horribilicribrifax against a cat, and Sir Thopas (in _Endymion_) against the 'monster' Ovis.

[428] _Pouldre blanche_: a powder compounded of Ginger, Cinnamon, and Nutmegs (Cotgrave). Cf. _Blaunche laund_ in the _Story of Fulk Fitz Warine_; the Lady of Blanchland in the poem on _Carle off Carlile_ in Percy's _Folio Ms._ 3, 279, etc.

[429] Cf. Plaut. _Miles_, I. i, 26.

[430] Northern dialect for 'bush.'

[431] In the series of the 'blue spider' and the 'gozeling.' Cf. "the King of Cockneys on _Childermas-day_," Brand's _Pop. Ant._ 1, 536, etc.

[432] by the holy blood? (Hazlitt: _quasi_ semblety, semblance.)

[433] Cf. _Custrel_ in _Phil. Soc. Dict., Coustillier_ in Cotgr.

[434] Here follows a farcical scene, doubtlessly inserted for the applause of the galleries. The musicians are supposed to kneel in mock reverence (v. 90), while M. indulges in practical jokes upon R.

[435] A picture of such a 'fool's feather,' added to the 'comb' in Douce's _Illustrations_, II. Plate 4, 1 (cf. ib. p. 322).

[436] E., _famulae_, but the maids are not on the stage; v. 107 (his men) shows that the musicians are meant.

[437] _Cantent_ refers apparently to the _Seconde Song_ at the end of the play.

[438] E. has '?'.

[439] gave. Cf. _The Lytell Geste of Robyn Hode_: "Take him a gray courser," etc.

[440] Cf. 'allowe,' V. i, 12; 'chieve,' 'gree,' etc. (C. changes: 'loue').

[441] promised.

[442] affianced; cf. IV. i, 17; IV iii, 41; V. ii, 6.

[443] C., 'ioly'; cf. ioily, II. iii, 53.

[444] Custance's quick answer need not be carried back to Parmenio (as by Cooper).

[445] II. i. A night has passed between the first and the second acts [note the 'last day' in v. 46]. The following monologue is distinctly in the spirit of the Roman comedy. The signature at the bottom of this page in the E. copy is C v.

[446] E., 'his,' and no dashes, but a comma after 'woundes.'

[447] _Twangillos_ in Halliwell, _Twango_ in Flügel's _Dict._

[448] An onomatopoetic melody, song; cf. _Romeo_, IV. v, 108, 129.

[449] flute.

[450] Cf. Skelton against Garnesche: "Ye wolde be callyd a maker And make mocke lyke Jake Raker" (Dyce: "an imaginary person whose name had become proverbial" for bad verses).

[451] Note 'pastance,' indicating the original pronunciation in the rhyme, III. iii, 151; V. ii, 23; where the word is not required for the rhyme we find 'pastime,' V. v, 20, etc. So in Henry VIII's famous song, _Pastime with good companye_, we have the word rhyming with 'daliance,' 'daunce.'

[452] From time to time. _Prompt. Parv. Gen. Ed._

[453] 'shoke' in Shakespeare; 'chid' cf. II. iii, 4.

[454] unsuccessful.

[455] Cf. _Hickscorner_ (Dodsley, 1, 168): "If any of us three be mayor of London I wis I will ride to Rome on my thumb."

[456] touchstone (Cotgr.). The Lombards famous as bankers; ill famed for their "subtyl crafft ... to deceyue a gentyl man" (Boorde's _Introd._, p. 186).

[457] Cf. Chaucer, _Troil._ 4, 461; Heywood, _Prov._ 2, ch. 1. Reference to the cure of nettle-stings by dock-leaves.

[458] running about.

[459] Cf. Boorde's _Introd._, 191, etc.

[460] neat. Cf. Ascham, _Tox._ 28.

[461] E. and A. read: 'ferdegews'; C. and H.: 'ferdegews.' Is it the same as French: _Verdugalle_ (A vardingale, Cotgr.)? _ib._ s.v. _Bavolet_: A billiment or head-attire, etc.

[462] gay (the earliest quot. in Murray is from 1568).

[463] Cf. Jamieson's _Scott. Dict._: Prickmedainty, one who is finical in dress or carriage.

[464] Is this related to "giving a fig"?

[465] ready for every event (_Phil. Soc. Dict._).

[466] to make a thing a subject for reproach (_Phil. Soc. Dict._).

[467] _Four Elem._ (Dodsley, 1, 20).

[468] Cf. Cotgr. _s.v. Trenon_: f. A great raumpe, or tomboy; _s.v. Trotiere_: f. A raumpe ... raunging damsell, etc.

[469] E., 'No did?'--'did' spoils the rhyme.

[470] Cf. Palsgrave, 415; I abye, I forthynke or am punished for a thynge, etc.

[471] Cf. II. iv, 26.

[472] Wrong signature in E., D. v.

[473] burden.

[474] Cf. _Appius and Virg._ (Dodsley, 4, 121): "it's time to be knacking," etc.

[475] he will show what a fool he is; cf. Skelton, 2, 254: "thou wylte coughe me a dawe" (a fole, etc.).

[476] E. has a period.

[477] Cf. Palsgr.: Byrde bolt matteras; Cotgrave, s.v. 'Matteras' ... a quarrell [arrow] without feathers, ... a light-brain'd ... fellow.

[478] See Udall's _Apophthegms_ (1542, _apud_ Murray): "chop-loguers or great pratlers." The word originated in Protestant derision of the 'tropological' and 'anagogical' senses of the scholastics; cf. _Tindale on the four senses of Scripture_ (_Obedience of a Christian Man_, 304, 307, 308): "we must seek out some chopological sense."

[479] Cf. Heywood, _Prov._ 2, ch. 4 (109); 300 _Epigrams_, p. 149, etc.

[480] To hit, or run against (Baret, 1580, cf. Hall).

[481] heavy, stupid fellow (Halliwell).

[482] Cf. Sherwood: a Hob (or clowne).

[483] lubber.

[484] Cf. Baw! as an exclamation of contempt, repudiation, in _Pierce Plowm._, C. 13, 74, 22, 398 ("still used in Lancashire as an interjection of contempt and abhorrence," Whitaker, 1813, cf. Skeat).

[485] humiliated; Shak., _1 Hen. VI._ (IV. iii, 13).

[486] not only the lover, sweetheart, etc., but also the flatterer, favorite (of a prince), despicable creature (cf. Cotgr.).

[487] a Latinism (_floccifacere_); used also in Udall's _Paraphr. to Luke_ (1545; see _Phil. Soc. Dict._).

[488] Cf. _Towneley Myst._, 101, and _Trial of Treasure_; 'wynde,' _Four Elem._; "let the world 'slide,'" _Wit and Science_.

[489] A translation from the Latin _Ordo ad visitandum infirmum_ (_interroget cum episcopus, quomodo credat in deum_, Maskell, _Mon. Rit._, 1, 89).

[490] On this Mock Requiem see p. 186 and Appendix E.

[491] executor.

[492] Cf. Sherwood: _Roger bon temps_, a mad rascall, a merry greek.

[493] See p. 187.

[494] Cf. I. ii, 181; I. iv, 4; II. iii, 10, etc.

[495] by God's Armes!

[496] swoon.

[497] Cf. I. iii, 11, 14.

[498] Heywood, _Prov._ 1, ch. 4 (17); Camden's _Prov._, 271.

[499] H. makes the rhyme 'carriage.'

[500] voice? or rather courage.

[501] Cf. Palsgr. p. 664: set the plyghtes in order.

[502] gallant; cf. I. ii, 124, and the _Fourth Song_, v. 7.

[503] A. has 'should.'

[504] Cf. Palsgr. 589: I jette with facyon and countenaunce to set forthe my selfe. _Je braggue_, etc.

[505] E. has no punctuation after 'mastershyp' or 'lord'; A. has a period after the former.

[506] impudent fellow!

[507] never.

[508] Cf. Halliwell: to keep the term 'master' out of sight, to be wanting in proper respect [M. makes good his carelessness in the next verses!]

[509] Cf. 'chose,' I. iv, 15.

[510] In a 'treyce'; the French way of counting in games; cf. _ambs ace_, _syce ace_, etc.

[511] This seems to refer to the '_Fourth Song_' at the end of the play.

[512] As early as the _Promptorium Parvulorum_: Gawde or jape = _Nuga_.

[513] C., 'have us.'

[514] E., 'sernice.'

[515] The ambiguous letter finds a pre-Shakespearian parallel in the satirical poem on _Women_ printed from _Add. Ms._ 17492, fol. 18, in Flügel's _Lesebuch_, p. 39; and in the poem printed in Ebert's _Jahrbuch_, 14, 214.

[516] Cf. III. v, 77, where R. should have written or inserted 'yᵉˡ,' thus obviating the necessity of resorting to bad grammar--'they' for 'them.'

[517] See Appendix _H_ under 'Arber.'

[518] Cf. IV. vii, 48; an oath in Skelton's _Magnif._ 685 (and _Bowge_, 398). Calais was lost to the English January 20, 1558.

[519] Cf. v. 110, 122; II. iii, 17, etc.

[520] = Gog's. R.'s oaths, gain force with his misfortune.

[521] Cf. I. ii, 146.

[522] make; cf. I. iv, 18.

[523] Palæstrio (_Miles Glor._ 1244): _Nam tu te vilem feceris_ ..._Sine ultro veniat, quæsitet, desideret, exspectet._

[524] Cf. Tindale, 1462 [_Prol. Jonas_]: "the heathen Ninivites though they were blinded with lusts a good"; _Two G. of V._, IV. iv, 170: "weep agood."

[525] Cf. III. ii, 52.

[526] sooner.

[527] Cf. 'cousin,' III. i, 4.

[528] swindling.

[529] robbing; Palsgr. 465: I bribe, I pull, I pyll! _Ie bribe (Romane), je derebbe ..._ He bribeth and he polleth.

[530] So in E.; A., C., and H. give the words "Nay ... still" to _Mery_ unnecessarily.

[531] R. had received his copy back from Custance!

[532] Omitted in A.

[533] head; cf. _G. G. N._, p. 250; _Hickscorner,_ p. 168, etc.

[534] H. gives this line to R.

[535] by all means; cf. I. ii, 175; IV, iii, 41, etc.

[536] whether.

[537] welfare; cf. _Prol._ 10.

[538] Cf. 'spouse,' etc., I. v, 9; IV. iii, 41. E. has comma between 'wife' and 'Espoused'.

[539] Cf. V. iv, 28; 'cheek' here like 'eyes,' 'teeth.'

[540] F., 'supect.'

[541] Taken from Plautus, _Mil. Glor._ I. 1.

[542] Cf. IV. i, 17.

[543] Note the 'thee' and 'you.'

[544] Cf. I. i, 49.

[545] Cf. III. iv, 7, 8.

[546] lubber or lout.

[547] C. adds the rhyme: 'though I die.'

[548] See Appendix _F_.

[549] simple, timid.

[550] R. 'thous' Custance now!

[551] Cf. v. 102 'passion'; 'pashe,' IV. vii, 51; IV. viii, 52.

[552] A. reads 'mowe,' C. 'inowe.'

[553] Cf. Cotgr., _Tressault_: A start ... also, a leap.

[554] Cf. I. ii, 140.

[555] Cf. II, iii. 17; III. iv, 85.

[556] Think of it.

[557] Sherwood, To appall: _Esmayer_, _descourager_.

[558] once for all.

[559] breme, brim, furious; cf. V. 34.

[560] So in E. C. reads correctly 'the'; but A. has 'yat,' and M. 'that.'

[561] The names of the speakers in vv. 10 and 11 are by mistake in inverse order in E.

[562] 'mockage' is neither English nor French. Palsgr., Cotgr., etc., do not have it; Halliwell quotes it from "Collier's _Old Ballads_ 48; Harrison, 235."

[563] See II. iii, 32.

[564] Cf. the figure of Crafty Conueyaunce in Skelton's _Magnyfycence_.

[565] the 'Cotswold lyon' is the 'sheepe' of v. 29; cf. Heywood, _Prov._ I. ch. ii (78): 'as fierce as a Lion of Cotsolde'; _Thersites_ (Dodsley 1, 403), etc.

[566] line, array.

[567] Cf. Palsg. 695: assemble in routes, styrre about.

[568] H. changes 'and' into 'as.'

[569] Cf. 'chieve, 'low.

[570] intercede.

[571] Jocose formation; probably a "collock," a (kitchen) pail (_North-Engl._ acc. to Halliwell). A large pail generally with an erect handle in Yorks, Lancash., etc. (Wright, _Dial. Dict._). Cf. Heywood, _Prov._ 2, ch. 7, "give you a _recumbentibus_." If this fine Latin ending was a school-joke it would be of chronological importance.

[572] Stupefied; cf. Pilsgr. p. 421.

[573] for security; see _Robyn Hode_, st. 63; _Cock Lorels Bote_, etc.

[574] T. in addressing the 'Miles' goes on with his military jargon. In E. this line is assigned to Royster, and the next two lines from '_But_' to 'befall' to T. Trustie.

[575] By the mass!

[576] IV. viii, Cf. Plaut. _Miles_, v. 1394 _seq._

[577] E. has 'you.'

[578] the 'goose' would produce the same effect as the 'snail' in _Thersites_.

[579] Heywood, _Prov._ 1, ch. 5 (21): "thus be I by this once _le senior de graunde_, | many that commaund me, I shall commaunde."

[580] Cf. _Mil. Glor._ 1406.

[581] Heywood's _Prov._ 2, ch. 8; _ib._ 1, ch. 2; Camden, _Prov._ 270; Ray, etc.

[582] See the complete oath, III. iv, 127.

[583] masculine, furious.

[584] See Child's _Ballads, Index_; Flügel's _Lesebuch_, 440.

[585] Gog's bones, _G. G. N. passim_.

[586] E. has the stage direction: _Exeant om_

[587] The _Exeat_ in E. stands at the end of 61.

[588] natural disposition.

[589] make proof of; cf. Palsgr. p. 762.

[590] Cf. Plaut. _Miles_, v. 957 (IV. i, 11).

[591] straightway, therefore.

[592] Note the rhyme.

[593] Cf. Sherwood, s.v.: ... 'rude,' 'simple,' 'vil,' etc.

[594] Note the rhyme.

[595] Cf. stablishe, etc.

[596] E. and A. have an interrogation mark.

[597] Adulteress.

[598] E., 'here were ye wished to haue.'

[599] Nom.-vocative; cf. V. vi, 37.

[600] reproach.

[601] See IV. ii, 14.

[602] Cf. Koch's _Hist. Gram._ 2: 324.

[603] Cf. last scene of Ter. _Eunuchus_.

[604] "Unless you desire it."

[605] E. has interrogation mark.

[606] Cf. _Eunuch._ V. viii, 49: _Fatuus est, insulsus, bardus_.

[607] Cf. _ib._ V. viii, 57; _Hunc comedendum et deridendum vobis propino_.

[608] E., 'maintaiue.'

[609] Cf. _Eunuch._ V. viii, 62: _Numquam etiam fui usquam, quin me omnes amarint plurimum._

[610] Cf. Pollock-Maitland, _Hist. Engl. Law_, 1, 171: "The Exchequer is called a curia ... it receives and audits the accounts of the sheriffs and other collectors; it calls the King's debtors before it," etc.

[611] Cf. Wright's Songs, 76.

[612] See Introd., _Date of the Play_.

[613] See Appendix G.

[614] The title, '_Fidei Defensor_,' was given to Henry VIII. in 1521; the title, _Defender of the Faith_, is found in the statutes of Mary and Elizabeth; _Defenders of the Faith_ in those of Philip and Mary.

[615] Similarly in the _Prayer_ at the end of _Cambyses_.

[616] Similarly in the _Prayer_ at the end of _Like will to Like_.

[617] Similarly in the plays of _Jacob and Esau_, _Disob. Child_, _New Custom_, _Cambyses_, _Like will to Like_.

[618] Similarly in the _Prayers_ of _Nice Wanton_, _Disob. Child_, _Appius_, _Like will to Like_, _Triall of Treas._ [all estates].

[619] See I. iv, 112.

[620] A. (and E.?): 'free.'

[621] To be inserted III. iii, 152.

[622] Cf. III. iii, 120.

[623] Cf. III. iii, 53.

[624] _Sic._ E.

[625] H. changes to 'none.'

[626] Cf. the slight differences III. iii, 59.

[627] Entirely new line.

[628] Cf., on 'Voices' of Bells, Brand, _Pop. Ant._ 2: 214, 216.

[629] Cotgr.: a Triple; also Gaillard-time in Music.