Actus. i. Scæna. i.

Mathewe Merygreeke. He entreth singing. A ii b

As long lyveth the mery man (they say)[332]

As doth the sory man, and longer by a day.

Yet the Grassehopper for all his Sommer pipyng,

Sterveth in Winter wyth hungrie gripyng,

Therefore an other sayd sawe doth men advise, 5

That they be together both mery and wise.

Thys Lesson must I practise, or else ere long,

Wyth mee Mathew Merygreeke [333] it will be wrong.

In deede men so call me, for by him that us bought,

What ever chaunce betide, I can take no thought, 10

Yet wisedome woulde that I did my selfe bethinke

Where to be provided this day of meate and drinke:

For knowe [334] ye that for all this merie note of mine,

He might appose [335] me now that should aske where I dine.

My lyving lieth heere and there, of Gods grace, 15

Sometime wyth this good man, sometyme in that place,

Sometime Lewis Loytrer [336] biddeth me come neere,

Somewhyles Watkin Waster maketh us good cheere,

Sometime Davy Diceplayer [337] when he hath well cast

Keepeth revell route as long as it will last. 20

Sometime Tom Titivile [338] maketh us a feast,

Sometime with sir Hugh Pye I am a bidden gueast,

Sometime at Nichol Neverthrives I get a soppe,

Sometime I am feasted with Bryan Blinkinsoppe,[339]

Sometime I hang on Hankyn [340] Hoddydodies sleeve, 25

But thys day on Ralph Royster Doysters by hys leeve.

For truely of all men he is my chiefe banker

Both for meate and money, and my chiefe shootanker.[341]

For, sooth Roister Doister in that he doth say,[342]

And require what ye will ye shall have no nay. 30

But now of Roister Doister somewhat to expresse, A iii

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 [343] and craking [344] 35

Of his great actes in fighting and fraymaking:

But when Roister Doister is put to his proofe,

To keepe the Queenes [345] peace is more for his behoofe.

If any woman smyle or cast on hym an eye,

Up is he to the harde eares in love by and by, 40

And in all the hotte haste must she be hys wife,

Else farewell hys good days, and farewell his life,

Maister Raufe Royster Doyster is but dead and gon

Excepte she on hym take some compassion,

Then chiefe of counsell, must be Mathew Merygreeke, 45

What if I for mariage to suche an one seeke?

Then must I sooth it, what ever it is:

For what he sayth or doth can not be amisse,

Holde up his yea and nay, be his nowne [346] white [347] sonne,

Prayse and rouse him well, and ye have his heart wonne, 50

For so well liketh he his owne fonde fashions

That he taketh pride of false commendations.

But such sporte have I with him as I would not leese,

Though I should be bounde to lyve with bread and cheese.

For exalt hym, and have hym as ye lust in deede: 55

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, 60

I can set him in hope and eke in dispaire,

I can make him speake rough, and make him speake faire.

But I marvell I see hym not all thys same day,

I wyll seeke him out: But loe he commeth thys way,

I have yond espied hym sadly comming, A iii b 65

And in love for twentie pounde, by hys glommyng.