Roister Doister | Page 5

vse As we in thys Enterlude shall now vnfolde, Wherin all scurilitie we vtterly refuse, Auoiding such mirth wherin is abuse: Knowing nothing more comendable for a mans recreation Than Mirth which is vsed in an honest fashion: For Myrth prolongeth lyfe, and causeth health. Mirth recreates our spirites and voydeth pensiuenesse, Mirth increaseth amitie, not hindring our wealth, Mirth is to be vsed both of more and lesse, Being mixed with vertue in decent comlynesse. As we trust no good nature can gainsay the same: Which mirth we intende to vse, auoidyng all blame. The wyse Poets long time heretofore, Vnder merrie Comedies secretes did declare, Wherein was contained very vertuous lore, With mysteries and forewarnings very rare. Suche to write neither Plautus nor Terence dyd spare, Whiche among the learned at this day beares the bell: These with such other therein dyd excell. Our Comedie or Enterlude which we intende to play. Is named Royster Doyster in deede. Which against the vayne glorious doth inuey, Whose humour the roysting sort continually doth feede. Thus by your pacience we intende to proceede In this our Enterlude by Gods leaue and grace, And here I take my leaue for a certaine space.
FINIS.

Roister Doister.

Actus. j. Sc?na. j.
+Mathewe Merygreeke.+ He entreth singing.
As long lyueth the mery man (they say) As doth the sory man, and longer by a day. Yet the Grassehopper for all his Sommer pipyng, Sterueth in Winter wyth hungrie gripyng, Therefore an other sayd sawe doth men aduise, That they be together both mery and wise. Thys Lesson must I practise, or else ere long, Wyth mee Mathew Merygreeke it will be wrong. In deede men so call me, for by him that vs bought, What euer chaunce betide, I can take no thought, Yet wisedome woulde that I did my selfe bethinke Where to be prouided this day of meate and drinke: For know ye, that for all this merie note of mine, He might appose me now that should aske where I dine. My lyuing lieth heere and there, of Gods grace, Sometime wyth this good man, sometyme in that place, Sometime Lewis Loytrer biddeth me come neere, Somewhyles Watkin Waster maketh vs good cheere, Sometime Dauy Diceplayer when he hath well cast Keepeth reuell route as long as it will last. Sometime Tom Titiuile maketh vs a feast, Sometime with sir Hugh Pye I am a bidden gueast, Sometime at Nichol Neuerthriues I get a soppe, Sometime I am feasted with Bryan Blinkinsoppe, Sometime I hang on Hankin Hoddydodies sleeue, But thys day on Ralph Royster Doysters by hys leeue. For truely of all men he is my chiefe banker Both for meate and money, and my chiefe shootanker. For, sooth Roister Doister in that he doth say, And require what ye will ye shall haue no nay. But now of Roister Doister somewhat to expresse, That ye may esteeme him after hys worthinesse, In these twentie townes and seke them throughout, Is not the like stocke, whereon to graffe a loute. All the day long is he facing and craking Of his great actes in fighting and fraymaking: But when Roister Doister is put to his proofe, To keepe the Queenes peace is more for his behoofe. If any woman smyle or cast on hym an eye, Vp is he to the harde eares in loue by and by, And in all the hotte haste must she be hys wife. Else farewell hys good days, and farewell his life, Maister Raufe Royster Doister is but dead and gon Excepte she on hym take some compassion, Then chiefe of counsell, must be Mathew Merygreeke, What if I for mariage to suche an one seeke? Then must I sooth it, what euer it is: For what he sayth or doth can not be amisse, Holde vp his yea and nay, be his nowne white sonne, Prayse and rouse him well, and ye haue his heart wonne, For so well liketh he his owne fonde fashions That he taketh pride of false commendations. But such sporte haue I with him as I would not leese, Though I should be bounde to lyue with bread and cheese. For exalt hym, and haue hym as ye lust in deede: Yea to hold his finger in a hole for a neede. I can with a worde make him fayne or loth, I can with as much make him pleased or wroth, I can when I will make him mery and glad, I can when me lust make him sory and sad, I can set him in hope and eke in dispaire, I can make him speake rough, and make him speake faire. But I maruell I see hym not all thys same day, I wyll seeke him out: But loe he