Mul. I pray you do not lead me to execution through Cheapside. I owe Master Burnish, the goldsmith, money, and I fear he’ll set a sergeant on my back for it.
Coc. Trouble not your sconce, my Christian brothers, but have an eye unto the main chance. I will warrant your shoulders; as for your neck, Plinius Secundus, or Marcus Tullius Cicero, or somebody it is, says that a threefold cord is hardly broken. 75
Mul. Well, I am not the first honest man that hath been cast away; and I hope shall not be the last.
Coc. O, sir, have a good stomach and maws; you shall have a joyful supper.
Mul. In troth I have no stomach to it; and it please you, take my trencher; I use to fast at nights. 81
Mistress Mul. O husband! I little thought you should have come to think on God thus soon;[111] nay, and you had been hang’d deservedly it would never have grieved me; I have known of many honest innocent men have been hang’d deservedly: but to be cast away for nothing!
Coc. Good woman, hold your peace, your prittles and your prattles, your bibbles and your babbles; for I pray you hear me in private: I am a widower, and you are almost a widow; shall I be welcome to your houses, to your tables, and your other things? 92
Mistress Mul. I have a piece of mutton and a featherbed for you at all times; I pray make haste.
Mul. I do here make my confession: if I owe any
man anything, I do heartily forgive him; if any man owe me anything, let him pay my wife.