RALPH ROISTER DOISTER.

ACTUS I., SCÆNA 1.

Matthew Merrygreek. He entereth singing.

As long liveth the merry man (they say),

As doth the sorry man, and longer by a day;

Yet the grasshopper, for all his summer piping,

Starveth in winter with hungry griping:

Therefore another said saw doth men advise,

That they be together both merry and wise.

This lesson must I practise or else, ere long,