A Select Collection of Old English Plays, vol 2 | Page 5

I thank you verily, And I am all ready To wait
you upon.
RIOT. What, sister Lechery? Ye be welcome to our company.
LECHERY. Well, wanton, well, fie for shame! So soon ye do express
my name: What! if no man should have known, I-wis I shall you beat!
well, wanton, well!
RIOT. A little pretty niset,[14] Ye be well nice, God wot! Ye be a little
pretty pye! i-wis, ye go full gingerly.
LECHERY. Well, I see your false eye Winketh on me full wantonly;
Ye be full wanton, i-wis.
YOUTH. Pride, I thank you of your labour That you had to fetch this
fair flow'r.
PRIDE. Lo, youth, I told thee That I would bring her with me. Sir, I
pray you tell me now, How she doth like you?
YOUTH. Verily, well she pleaseth me, For she is courteous, gentle, and

free. How do you, fair lady? How fare you, tell me.
LECHERY. Sir, if it please you, I do well enou', And the better that
you will wit.
YOUTH. Riot, I would be at the tavern fain, Lest Charity us meet and
turn us again: Then would I be sorry, because of this fair lady.
RIOT. Let us go again betime, That we may be at the wine, Ere ever
that he come.
PRIDE. Hie thee apace, and go we hence; We will let for none expense.
YOUTH. Now we will fill the cup and make good cheer; I trust I have
a noble here. Hark, sirs, for God Almighty, Hearest thou not how they
fight? In faith we shall them part. If there be any wine to sell, They
shall no longer together dwell; No, then I beshrew my heart.
RIOT. No, sir, so mot I the, Let not thy servants fight within thee; For
it is a careful life Evermore to live in strife; Therefore, if ye will be
ruled by my tale, We will go to the ale, And see how we can do; I trust
to God that sitteth on high, To lese that little company Within an hour
or two.
PRIDE. Now let us go, for God's sake, And see how merry we can
make.
RIOT. Now let us go apace; And I be last there, I beshrew my face!
YOUTH. Now let us go: that we were there To make this lady some
cheer.
LECHERY. Verily, sir, I thank thee, That ye will bestow it on me, And
when it please you on me to call, My heart is yours, body and all.
YOUTH. Fair lady, I thank thee; On the same wise ye shall have me,
Whatsoever you please.
PRIDE. Riot, we tarry very long.
RIOT. We will go even now with a lusty song.
PRIDE. In faith, I will be rector of the choir.
YOUTH. Go to it then hardily, and let us be agate.
CHARITY. Abide, fellow; a word with thee: Whither go ye, tell me?
Abide, and hear what I shall you tell, And be ruled by my counsel.
PRIDE. Nay, no fellow ne yet mate, I trow thy fellow be in Newgate;
Shall we tell thee whither we go? Nay, i-wis, good John-a-Peepo! Who
learned thee, thou mistaught man, To speak so to a gentleman? Though
his clothes be never so thin, Yet he is come of noble kin; Though thou
give him such a mock, Yet he is come of a noble stock, I let thee well

to wit.
RIOT. What! Sir John,[15] what say ye! Would you be fettered now?
Think not too long, I pray ye; If misfortune come soon enou', Ye shall
think it a little [too] soon.
YOUTH. Yet, sirs, let this cease, And let us talk of goodness.
RIOT. He turneth his tail, he is afeard; But, faith, he shall be scared; He
weeneth by flattering to please us again, But he laboureth all in vain.
CHARITY. Sir, I pray you me not spare, For nothing I do care That ye
can do to me.
RIOT. No, whoreson? sayest thou so? Hold him, Pride, and let me go; I
shall set a pair of rings, That shall set to his shins, And that even anon.
PRIDE. Hie thee apace and come again, And bring with thee a good
chain, And hold him here still.
CHARITY. Jesus, that was born of Mary mild, From all evil he us
shield, And send you grace to amend, Ere our life be at an end; For I
tell you truly, That ye live full wickedly; I pray God it amend!
RIOT. Lo, sirs, look what I bring. Is not this a jolly ringing? By my
troth, I trow it be: I will go with Charity. How say'st thou, Master
Charity? Doth this gear please thee?
CHARITY. They please me well indeed! The more sorrow, the