RALPH

Yes sir. I must, because theres no remedy, But gentle master and my loving dame, As you have always been a friend to me, So in mine absence think upon my wife. I thank you master, and I thank you all: Now gentle wife, my loving lovely Jane, Rich men at parting, give their wives rich gifts, Jewels and rings, to grace their lily hands, Thou knowest our trade makes rings for women's heels: Here take this pair of shoes cut out by Hodge, Sticht by my fellow Firk, seamed by my self, Made up and pinked, with letters for thy name, Wear them my dear Jane, for thy husbands sake, And every morning when thou pullest them on, Remember me, and pray for my return, Make much of them, for I have made them so, That I can know them from a thousand more. Here fit thou down upon this flowery bank, And make a garland for thy Lacies head, These pinks, these roses, and these violets, These blushing gilliflowers, these marigolds, The fair embroidery of his coronet, Carry not half such beauty in their cheeks, As the sweet countnaunce of my Lacy does. Oh my most unkind father! Oh my stars! Why lowrde you so at my nativity, To make me love, yet live robbed of my love? Here as a thief am I imprisoned (For my dear Lacies sake) within those walls, Which by my father's cost were built up For better purposes: here must I languish For him that does as much lament (I know) enter Sibil. Mine absence, as for him I pine in woe. Who calls there, what want you sir? Yes sir, you shall have them, but what lengths her foot? Yes sir, yes, I, I, I can do't, by this shoe you say: I should know this shoe, yes sir, yes, by this shoe, I can do to, four a clock, well, whither shall I bring them? Yea sir, by this shoe you say. They shall be done by this shoe: well, well, Master Hammon at the golden shoe, I would say the golden Ball, very well, very well, but I pray you sir where must master Hammon be married? By this shoe said he, how am I amazed At this strange accident? upon my life, This was the very shoe I gave my wife When I was pressed for France, since when alas, I never could hear of her: it is the same, And Hammons Bride no other but my Jane. I would God you saw me dame as well, As when I went from London into France. I am glad to see you well, and I rejoice To hear that God hath blessed my master so Since my departure. Tell me good Roger first, what news in England? Haw does my Jane? when didst thou see my wife? Where lives my poor heart? shéel be poor indeed Now I want limbs to get whereon to feed. Yet all this while I hear not of my Jane. I thank you dame, siuce I want limbs and lands, I'll to God, my good friends, and to these my hands. Hence, swounds, what mean you? are you mad? I hope you cannot enforce my wife from me, where Hamon? I am in hand with them, she gave charge that none but I should do them for her. Of all good Fortune's, my fellow Hance had the best. No nor I, but then my M. Eyre will come quickly to be L. Mayor. Enter Sibil. God a mercy Sibil for our good cheer at old Ford. I care not, I have found a better thing. Firk, dost thou know this shoe? Why then I do, this shoe I durst be sworn Once covered the instep of my Jane: This is her size, her breadth, thus trod my love, These true love knots I pricked, I hold my life, By this old shoe I shall find out my wife. Thus Firk, even now here came a servingman, By this shoe would he have a new pair made Against to morrow morning for his mistress, Thats to be married to a Gentleman, And why may not this be my sweet Jane? Well, laugh, and spare not: but the truth is this. Against to morrow morning I'll provide, A lusty crew of honest shoemakers, To watch the going of the bride to church, If she prove Jane, I'll take her in despite, From Hammon and the devil, were he by, If it be not my Jane, what remedy? Hereof am I sure, I shall live till I die, Although I never with a woman lie. exit. Am I sure this is Firk? This morning when I strokte on her shoes, I looked upon her, and she upon me, and sighed, askte me if ever I knew one Rafe. Yes said I: for his sake said she (tears standing in her eyes) and for thou art somewhat Like him, spend this piece of gold: I took it: my lame leg, and my travel beyond sea made me unknown, all is one for that, I know she's mine. Sirrah Hammon Hammon, dost thou think a Shoemaker is so base, to be a bawd to his own wife for commodity, take thy gold, choke with it, were I not lame, I would make Thee eat thy words. Yea my wife, and therefore the proudest of you that lays hands on her first, I'll lay my crutch cross his pate. Rose call you her? why her name is Jane, look here else, do you know her now? Oh the crew of good fellows that will dine at my lord, Majors cost to day! How? by this shoe must it be made? by this, are you sure sir by this? Stand toot my hearts, Firk, let me speak first.