Roister Doister | Page 9

I dyd nothyng but byd hir worke and holde hir peace.
+Tib. Talk.+ So would I, if you coulde your clattering ceasse: But the deuill can not make olde trotte holde hir tong.
+An. Alyface.+ Let all these matters passe, and we three sing a song, So shall we pleasantly bothe the tyme beguile now, And eke dispatche all our workes ere we can tell how.
+Tib. Talk.+ I shrew them that say nay, and that shall not be I.
+M. Mumbl.+ And I am well content.
+Tib. Talk.+ Sing on then by and by.
+R. Royster.+ And I will not away, but listen to their song, Yet Merygreeke and my folkes tary very long.
+Tib+, +An+, and +Margerie+, doe singe here.
Pipe mery Annot. etc. Trilla, Trilla. Trillarie. Worke Tibet, worke Annot, worke Margerie. Sewe Tibet, knitte Annot, spinne Margerie. Let vs see who shall winne the victorie.
+Tib. Talk.+ This sleue is not willyng to be sewed I trowe, A small thing might make me all in the grounde to throwe.
Then they sing agayne.
Pipe merrie Annot. etc. Trilla. Trilla. Trillarie. What Tibet, what Annot, what Margerie. Ye sleepe, but we doe not, that shall we trie. Your fingers be nombde, our worke will not lie.
+Tib. Talk.+ If ye doe so againe, well I would aduise you nay. In good sooth one stoppe more, and I make holy day.
They singe the thirde tyme.
Pipe Mery Annot. etc. Trilla. Trilla. Trillarie. Nowe Tibbet, now Annot, nowe Margerie. Nowe whippet apace for the maystrie, But it will not be, our mouth is so drie.
+Tib. Talk.+ Ah, eche finger is a thombe to day me thinke, I care not to let all alone, choose it swimme or sinke.
They sing the fourth tyme.
Pipe Mery Annot. etc. Trilla. Trilla. Trillarie. When Tibet, when Annot, when Margerie. I will not, I can not, no more can I. Lette hir caste downe hir vvorke. Then giue we all ouer, and there let it lye.
+Tib. Talk.+ There it lieth, the worste is but a curried cote, Tut I am vsed therto, I care not a grote.
+An. Alyface.+ Haue we done singyng since? then will I in againe, Here I founde you, and here I leaue both twaine. Exeat.
+M. Mumbl.+ And I will not be long after: Tib Talke apace.
+Tib. Talk.+ What is ye matter?
+M. Mumb.+ Yond stode a man al this space And hath hearde all that euer we spake togyther.
+Tib. Talk.+ Mary the more loute he for his comming hither. And the lesse good he can to listen maidens talke. I care not and I go byd him hence for to walke: It were well done to knowe what he maketh here away.
+R. Royster.+ Nowe myght I speake to them, if I wist what to say.
+M. Mumbl.+ Nay we will go both off, and see what he is.
+R. Royster.+ One that hath hearde all your talke and singyng ywis.
+Tib. Talk.+ The more to blame you, a good thriftie husbande Woulde elsewhere haue had some better matters in hande.
+R. Royster.+ I dyd it for no harme, but for good loue I beare, To your dame mistresse Custance, I did your talke heare. And Mistresse nource I will kisse you for acquaintance.
+M. Mumbl.+ I come anon sir.
+Tib. Talk.+ Faith I would our dame Custance Sawe this geare.
+M. Mumbl.+ I must first wipe al cleane, yea I must.
+Tib. Talk.+ Ill chieue it dotyng foole, but it must be cust.
+M. Mumbl.+ God yelde you sir, chad not so much ichotte not whan, Nere since chwas bore chwine, of such a gay gentleman.
+R. Royster.+ I will kisse you too mayden for the good will I beare you.
+Tib. Talk.+ No forsoth, by your leaue ye shall not kisse me.
+R. Royster.+ Yes be not afearde, I doe not disdayne you a whit.
+Tib. Talk.+ Why shoulde I feare you? I haue not so little wit, Ye are but a man I knowe very well.
+R. Royster.+ Why then?
+Tib. Talk.+ Forsooth for I wyll not, I vse not to kisse men.
+R. Royster.+ I would faine kisse you too good maiden, if I myght.
+Tib. Talk.+ What shold that neede?
+R. Royster.+ But to honor you by this light. I vse to kisse all them that I loue to God I vowe.
+Tib. Talk.+ Yea sir? I pray you when dyd ye last kisse your cowe.
+R. Royster.+ Ye might be proude to kisse me, if ye were wise.
+Tib. Talk.+ What promotion were therein?
+R. Royster.+ Nourse is not so nice.
+Tib. Talk.+ Well I haue not bene taught to kissing and licking.
+R. Royster.+ Yet I thanke you mistresse Nourse, ye made no sticking.
+M. Mumbl.+ I will not sticke for a kosse with such a man as you.
+Tib. Talk.+ They that lust: I will againe to my sewyng now.
+An. Alyfac[e].+ Tidings hough, tidings, dame Custance greeteth you well.
+R. Royster.+ Whome me?
+An. Alyface.+ You sir? no sir? I do no suche tale tell.
+R. Royster.+