Roister Doister | Page 5

the original by J. P. Collier, F.S.A.
6. 24 July 1869. Lond. 1 vol. 8vo. English Reprints: see title at p. 1.
.·. All the previous reprints have been and now are unobtainable to
most persons. It is to the most courteous and generous kindness of the
present Provost and Fellows of Eton College that I am enabled to place
what I hope may prove an exact text into the hands of every one. I trust
also to keep it perpetually on sale: that the student of the History of our
Literature may no longer lack one of the most important illustrations of
the growth of English Dramatic Poesy.

The Prologue.
What Creature is in health, eyther yong or olde, But som mirth with
modestie wil be glad to 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. Scæna. 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