CUSTANCE

Who took Thee this letter Margery Mumblecrust? Yea, but where learned he that manner of ? Some wise gentleman belike. I am bespoken: And I thought verily this had be some token From my dear spouse Gawin Goodluck, whom when him please God luckily send home to both our hearts ease. At this time nurse I will neither read ne break. Perchance lack of a pyrite when it shall be all told. In good sooth Madge, en so would I, if I were thou. But no more of this found talk now, let us go in, And see thou no more move me folly to begin. Nor bring Me no letters for no men pleasure, But thou know from whom. NAy come forth all three: and come hither pretty maid: Will not so many forewarnings make you afraid? Is all your delight and joy In whisking and ramping abroad Like a Tomboy. You great calf you should have more wit, so you should: But why should any of you take such things in hand? How do you know that? What was his name? If thou canst find him in the street bring him to me. I shall make all girls by you twain to beware. Good wenches would not so ramp abroad ydelly, But keep within doors, and ply their work earnestly, If one would speak with me that is a man likely, You shall have right good thank to bring me word quickly. B otherwise with messages to come in post From henceforth I promise you, shall be to your cost. Get you in to your work. No? Hence in at doors, and let me no more be vexed. Now will I in too, for I think so God me mend, This will prove some foolish matter in the end. None other life with you maid, but abroad to skip? Ah, have you been learning of more messages now? In at doors. Welcome friend Merygréeke: and what thing would you have? But see it be honest, else better not to speak. I feel no manner change but after the old rate. But whereby doye mean? I dote so, that I make but one sleep all the night. But what need all these words? What a tale is this? that I wot of? whom I love? Marry God yield his mashyp what ever he b , It is gentmanly spoken. As much as though I did, this time it shall not need, But what gentman is it, I pray you tell me plain, That woweth so finely? I am promised during my life, that is joust. No creature hath my faith and troth but one, That is Gawin Goodlucke: and if it be not he, He hath no title this way what ever he be, Nor I know none to whom I have such word spoken. In deed true it is, that a letter I have, But I never read it yet as God me save. You may there by know what hast I ave to wed. But now who it is, for my hand I know by guess. It is Ro ster Doister doubtless. 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. What will he? I defy him lout. Yea and add what so ever thou canst, I Thee pray, And I will avouch it what so ever it been. Let him come when him lust, I wish no better sport. Fare you well, I will in, and read my great letter. I shall to my woe make answer the better. WHat gauding and fooling is this afore my door? As that thing may be true, so rich folks may be fools, Get you home idle folks. In deed I have of yours much gay things God save all. I will not be served with a fool in no wise, When I choose and husband I hope to take a man. I sent him a full answer by you did I not? Let him wast no mor labour nor suit about me. Marry here it is, you n er saw a better. With the rest as good stuff as you red a great while. How by this letter of love? is it not fine? Might not a woman be proud of such and husband? Ywis sir, I would not have ent you such a mock. No God be with you both, and ke no more to me. I Come to see if any more stirring be here, But what stranger is this, which death to me appear What friend Sym Suresby? Forsooth right welcome you be, How does mine own Gawyn Goodlucke I pray the tell? When he knoweth of your health he will be perfect we l. I think now long for him. When will he be at home? Now I shrew their best Christmas cheeks both togetherward. WHat mean these lewd fellows thus to trouble me still? Sym Suresby here perchance shall thereof deem some ill, And shall supect in me some point of naughtiness, And they come hitherward. I have nought to them, nor they to me in sadness. Wife? why call you me wife? I did not refuse him for the letters sake. You for my husband to take? nothing less truly. 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 Sym Suresby to take some repast. Then come drink here w to me. Surely this fellow misdéemeth some ill in me, Which thing but God help, will go near to spill me. I will be even with Thee thou beast, thou mayest be bold. I will hear none of it. He hath stained my name for ever this is clear. I defy him. Faith rather than to marry with such a doltish lout, I would match my self with a beggar out of doubt. Speak not of Winning me: for it shall never be so. Avant lozel, pick Thee hence. Yea, no force, a jewel much better lost than found. And what, be there no officers trow we, in town To check idle loytrers bragging up and down? Where be they, by whom vacabunds should be repressed? 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 hough, come forth Trupenie. 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. Then shall we see I trow, when er you shall do me harm, Nay, as for charming me, come hither if thou dare, I shall clout thee till thou stink, both Thee and thy train, And coil Thee mine own hands, and send Thee home again. Let him do his worst. SO sirrah, if I should not with him take this way, I should not be rid of him I think till dooms day, I will call forth my folks, that without any mocks If he come again we may give him rappes and knocks. Mage Mumblecrust, come forth, and Tibet Talk apace. Yea and come forth too, mistress Annot Alyface. Like warriors if need been, you must show your strength The man that this day hath thus beguiled you, Is Ralph Roister Doister, whom you know well inowe, The most lout and dastard that ever on ground trodden. What pretty maid? will you talk when I speak? Go make all ready, that it may be éen so. TRupenie did promise me to run a great pace, My friend Tristram Trusty to fetched into this place. In deed he dwells hence a good start I cenfesse: But yet a quick messenger might twice since as I guess, Have gone and come again. Ah yond I spy him now. I can Thee thank Trupenie, thou hast done right wele. That he came at all I thank him in very deed, For now have I need of the help of some wise man. Trupenie get Thee in, thou shalt among them know, How to use thy self, Like a proper man I trow. He shall give you than ̄ ks. But alack, I fear, great displeasure shall be take. I am ill accombred with a couple of daws. No not on my partly: but here was Sym Suresby. 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, Your self know well enough. Because to been 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. Have I so many years lived a sober life, And showed my self honest, maid, widow, and wife, And now to be abused in such a vile sort, You see how poor Widows live all void of comfort. No, but Matthew Merygréeke does me most appall, That he would join him self with such a wretched lout. Ah Matthew Merygréeke, you have used me well. But well might you judge I spoke it all in mockage, For why? Is Roister Doister a fit husband for you? Ill ache your heads both, I was never werier, Nor never more verte since the first day I was born. But I feared thereof to take dishonesty. If you two bid me, we will with him pitch a field, I and my maids together. You shall see wome ̄ S war. Nay, the least girl I have, will make him take his feet. But hark, me think they make preparation. I will stand within, and step forth speedily, And so make as though I ran away dreadfully. What business have we here? out alas, alas. WHat caitiffs are those that so shake my house wall? Have I still this ado with a couple of fools? On afore Trupenie, hold thine own Annot, On toward them Tibet, for escape us they can not. Come forth Madge Mumblecrust, stand fast together. What to do? On forward. Well said Trupeny. Now Madge, there Annot: now stick them Tibet. I my self will mounsire grand captain undertake, You told me he loved me, call you this love? Gay love God save it, so soon hot, so soon cold. Too it again, my knightesses, down with them all. Away lout and lubber, or I shall be thy priest. So this field is ours we have driven them all away. Well now go you in, and make your self some good cheer. Friend Tristram, I pray you be a witness with me. Not now, but when I need to send I will be bold. I thank you for thess pains. And now I will get me in, Now Roister Doister will no more wowyng begin. I Come forth to see and Harken for news good, For about this hour is the time of likelihood, That Gawyn Goodlucke by the sayings of Suresby, Would be at home, and lo yond I see him I. What Gawyn Goodluck, the only hope of my life, Welcome home, and kiss me your true espoused wife. What fear ye that my faith towards you should change Could any men report your mind therein persuade? Then would I were dead, and fair laid in my graven, Ah Suresby, is this the honesty that you have? To hurt me with your report, not knowing the thing. If you knew the truth, you would take all in good part. It was none but Roister Doister that foolish mome. 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. Oh Lord, how necessary it is now of days, That eke 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 & eke intents And thou art the deliverer of all innocentes. Thou didst help the aduoutresse 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 Goodlucke 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. Now come they hitherwarde, I trust all shall be well. God let me no longer to continue in life, Than I shall towards you continue a true wife. Though hasty reports through surmises growing, May of poor innocentes be utter overthrowing, Yet because to thy master thou hast a true heart, And I know mine own truth, I forgive Thee for my partly. Roister Doisters champion, I shrew his best cheek. Fie, I can scarce abided you should his name recite. Fie upon him beast, then will not I be there. But for your mind sir, where he were would I not be? To your will I assent. At his first entrance you shall see I will him trim. But first let us Harken the gentleman's wise talk. Yes, a fowl usurer he is, you shall see else. He will lend no lowes, but he have in recompense Fifteen for one, which is to much of conscience. And where other usurers take their gains yearly, This man is angry but he have his by and by. The Lord strengthen his most excellent Majesty, Long to reign over us in all prosperity. But be a runnner up & down Still be a bringer of tidings and tokens to town. I feel no such carriage. But by imagination, For no man there is but a very dolt and l ute That to wow a W owe would so go about. He shall never have me his wife while he do live. Does he bid S ? Nay I must speak it again. Hold, read it if you can. And see what letter it is oh win a woman. I would see that feign. I will never have Thee. No did? Well you naughty girls, if ever I perceive That henceforth you do letters or tokens receive, To bring unto me from any person or place, E cept you first show me the party face to face, Either thou or thou, full truly aby thou shalt. Tush you sp ache in jest. As much brain as a burbolt. No, the devil shall have Thee. I have got this hour more shame and harm by Thee, Than all thy life days thou canst do me honesty. A shame take him. Waste no more wind, for it will never been. Go to y goose. Will you my tale break? He threatens to come hither with all his force to fight, I charge you if he come, on him with all your might. And of a ring and token. That Suresby I spied, did more than half suspect, That I my faith to Gawyn Goodlucke did reject. Then will I run away As though I were afeard. Saving my quarrel. For sure I will put you up into the Exchecker. For and usurer. Hence both twain. And let me see you play me such a partly again. Do not miss You shall have a token to your master with you. No. Now Tristram ̄ Trusty I than ̄ k you right much. For at my first sending to come you never grutch. For a foolish matter. And he stood by While Ralph Roister Doister with help of Merygreeke, For promise of marriage did unto me seek. Then shall we here his mind. or else in sadness Maid ̄ S come forth w to your tools What sayest y ? weldon in deed No I had rather be torn in pieces and flain, No man hath my faith and troth, but Gawyn Goodlucke, And that before Suresby did I say, and there stuck, But of certain letters there were such words spoken. You shall find us here. Ah Lord, help poor widows, destitute of comfort. Truly most deer spouse, nought was done but for pastance.