RUFFORD

What mistress Shore, King Edwards concubine , Set on a molehill, o disparagement. A throne were tter for your Ladyship, Fie will you ubber these fair cheeks with fears? Or fit so solitary, where all your servants? Where is your gown of silk, your periwigs, Your fine reba oes, and your costly jewels, What not so much as a shoe upon your foot, Nay then I see the world goes hard with whores. You are no judge of mine sir. This is King Richard's hand, I know it well, And this of thine is justly counterfeit, As he himself would swear it were ou n . Why cum e letter, every little ash, In all respects alike, how may I use, My transportation of my cozne and hides, Without the danger of forbidding law, And so I would have done in Edwards days, But that good ris Shore did please to cross Me, But mark how now I will requite her for it. I moude my suit, and plainly told the King, Some would rely e her, if no man had charge, To see seucrcly to the contrary. Forth with his Grace appointed me the man, And gave me officers to wait upon me, Which will so countenance thy cunning work, As I shall no way be suspected in it: how sayest thou Fog? A care sayest thou? why man, I will not trust My house, my strongest locks, nor any place, But mine own bosom, there will I keep it still, If I miscarry, so does it with me. Well Fog I have contented thee, Thou mayest be gone, I must about my charge, To see that none relieve Shores wife with ought. Come on good fellows, you that must atcend, King Richard's service under my command, Your charge is to be very vigilant, Over that strumpet whom they call Shores wife: If any traitor give her but a mite, A draught of water, or a crust of bred, Or any other food what ere it be, Lay hold on him, for it is present death, By good King Richard's proclamation, This is her haunt, here stand I Sentincll, Keep you unseen, and aid me when I call. All this contending sir will not avail, This treason will be rated at thy life. kte away. It must be so, you shall unto the King. Both have offended my dread sovereign, Though not alike, yet both faults capital, These l es declare what, when, & where it was. This young man my Liege. I will not be so rude before his grace. Well Flood thou art my death, I might have liudet' have seen thee loose thy head. Now whither is it better to be in court, And there to beg a licence of the King, For transportation of commodities, Then here to fit forsaken as thou dost, I think upon condition Edward lived, And thou were still in favour as before, Thou woulds not say that Rufford had deserved, To have his ears rend for a worse suit, Then licence to ship over corn and lead, What not a word, faith wench isle tell thee what, If thou dost think thy old trade out of date, Go learn to play the bawd another while. Because I will, she is a courtesan, And one abhorred of the world for lust. The world hath iudgde, and found her guilty, And 'tis the Kings command she be held odious. What mistress Blage, is't you? no marvel sure, But you should be relieude, a halfpenny quotha? I marry sir, and so be hanged my self, Not I, this Gentleman may if he please, Get you to your companion mistress Shore, And then there is a pair of queans wellmet, Now I bethink me, isle go to the King, And tell him that some will relieve Shores wife, Except some officer there be appointed, That carefully regards it be not so. Thereof my self will I make offer to him, Which questionless he cannot but accept, So shall I still pursue Shores wife with hate, That scorned Me in her high whores estate. Here is a villain, that will not relieve her, But yet heel lose he bowls, that way to help her, Apprehend him fellows when I bid you: Although his mate be gone, he shall pay for it. Take him, and let the Beadles whip him well. Whither go you sir? You come to give this strumpet some relief. Darest thou do so Air? Thou art a traitor Air. Lay hold on him, attach him officers. That is his name my Lord. Yes, and added more, That you would answer it before the King. I it? dread Lord I ask no grace, If I be guilty of this libeling, Vouchsafe me justice as you are my Prince, Against this traitor that accuseth me. Oh pardon me most royal King. Not I my liege, but Fog the Attorney. Who, I? his Highness knows my innocence, And ready service with my goods and life, Answer thy treasons to his majesty.