Eliz. But know you, Sir, that all my husband’s vassals
Are bidden bar their doors to me?
Hugo. I know it:
And therefore come you in; my house is mine:
No upstarts shall lay down the law to me;
Not they, mass: but mind you, no canting here—
No psalm-singing; all candles out at eight:
Beggars must not be choosers. Come along!
Eliz. I thank you, Sir; and for my children’s sake
I do accept your bounty. [aside] Down, proud heart—
Bend lower—lower ever: thus God deals with thee.
Go, Guta, send the children after me. [Exeunt severally.]
[Two Peasants enter.]
1st Peas. Here’s Father January taken a lease of March month, and put in Jack Frost for bailiff. What be I to do for spring-feed if the weather holds,—and my ryelands as bare as the back of my hand?
2d Peas. That’s your luck. Freeze on, say I, and may Mary Mother send us snow a yard deep. I have ten ton of hay yet to sell—ten ton, man—there’s my luck: every man for himself, and—Why here comes that handsome canting girl, used to be about the Princess.
[Guta enters.]
Guta. Well met, fair sirs! I know you kind and loyal,
And bound by many a favour to my mistress:
Say, will you bear this letter for her sake
Unto her aunt, the rich and holy lady
Who rules the nuns of Kitzingen?
2d Peas. If I do, pickle me in a barrel among cabbage.
She told me once, God’s curse would overtake me,
For grinding of the poor: her turn’s come now.
Guta. Will you, then, help her? She will pay you richly.