Passages from this character's speech that contain the most distinguishing words for Cluster 4 (loyalty, handmaid, spotless, blessings, hamilcar, moves…). Matches are highlighted.
(you may be bold) Than this letter purporteth, which you have unfold. Now sir, what default can you find in this letter? Then was the fault in reading, and not in writing, No nor I dare say in the form of enditing, But who read this letter, that it sonnded so nought? Fare you well bibbler, and worthily may you speed. How think you?
Full speech
So would I too: but it needed not that stound, He disgraced him self, his loutishnesse is such. I am not afraid in his presence to appear. It hath come of thy self, if thou hast had any. Wherein? Pay the Like hire I will make you such and other. Let him not spare me. You shall have as good as you bring of me that is plain. And what say you to me? or else I will be gone. Then did you wrong copy it of likelihood. Then was it as you prayed to have it I wot, But in reading and pointing there was made some fault. How say you, is this mine original or no? Look you on your own fist, and I will look on this, And let this man be judge whither I read amiss. To mine own dear coney bird, sweet heart, and pigsny, Good mistress Constance, present these by and by. How now? does ot this superscription agree? Sweet mistress, where as I love you, nothing at all Regarding your richesse and substance: chief of all 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 you 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 his endue price. Wherefore concerning marriage, you are thought Such a sine Paragon, as never 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 content To take you as you are: if you will be my wife, You shall be assured for the time of my life, I will keep you right well: from good raiment and fare, You shall not be kept: but in sorrow and care You shall in no wise live: at your own liberty, Do and say what you lust: you shall never please me But when you are merry: I will been all sad When you are sorry: I will be very glad When you seek your hearts ease: I will be unkind At no time: in m shall you 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 they that would do you wrong, (I will so help and maintain you) shall not live long. Nor any foolish doite shall cumber you, but I, I, who ere say nay, will stick by you till I die. Thus good mistress Constance, the lord you save and keep. From me Roister Doister, whither I wake or sleep, Who favour h you no less, (you may be bold) Than this letter purporteth, which you have unfold. Now sir, what default can you find in this letter? Then was the fault in reading, and not in writing, No nor I dare say in the form of enditing, But who read this letter, that it sonnded so nought? Fare you well bibbler, and worthily may you speed. How think you? am I not here? You read it not as you ought.
Plot summary
Plot — Ralph Roister Doister
Ralph Roister Doister seeks Matthew Merrygreek’s help in wooing Dame Custance, who is already affianced to Gawyn Goodluck. They send her a letter using her nurse, Madge Mumblecrust, as a go-between, but Dame Custance will not read it. They also send her a ring, but Tibet the maid gets into trouble for accepting it. Merrygreek tells Ralph that Dame Custance has not only rejected him but disparaged his manhood; Ralph despairs, but is persuaded to try again. Dame Custance is persuaded in turn to hear the love-letter read aloud, but Merrygreek reads it without regard for the punctuation, and reverses its meaning: it seems to promise her an unpleasant married life. His hopes dashed, Ralph seeks revenge on the scrivener who composed the letter, but the fault is shown to lie with the reader of it. Ralph continues to press his suit, and arouses the suspicions of Gawyn Goodluck’s servant. Ralph and Custance prepare to use force against one another, and Merrygreek admits that he was only helping Ralph for fun. When the men and women do battle, he hits Ralph while pretending to attack Dame Custance. Ralph has the worst of it, and retreats in disarray. Gawyn Goodluck hears of his fiancée’s apparent disloyalty, but accepts Tristram Trusty’s word as to what really happened. He makes his peace with Ralph, despite Dame Custance’s doubts.