Coll. Now such a murmuring to rise, upon so trifling a thing,
In all my life never saw I before:
And yet I have been officer this seven year and more.
The Tiler and his wife are in a great rage,
Affirming their daughter to be under age.
J. S. Art thou the collector of the king's task?[434]
Coll. I am, Jack Straw;[435] why dost thou ask?
J. S. Because thou goest beyond the commission of the king;
We grant to his highness pleasure in everything.
Thou hast thy task-money for all that be here,
My daughter is not fourteen years old, therefore she goes clear.
Coll. And because thou sayest so, I should believe thee?
J. S. Choose whether thou wilt or no, thou gettest no more of me;
For I am sure thy office doth not arm thee with such authority,
Thus to abuse the poor people of the country.
But chiefest of all, vile villain as thou art,
To play so unmanly and beastly a part,
As to search my daughter thus in my presence!
Coll. Why, base villain, wilt thou teach me what to do?
Wilt thou prescribe me mine office, and what belongs thereto? [Offers to strike him.
J. S. What, villain, dost strike me? I swear by the rood,
As I am Jack Straw, thou shalt buy it with thy blood.
There lie, and be well paid for thy pain.
[Throws him on the ground.
Coll. O help, help, the king's officer is slain!
[Dies.
Enter Parson Ball, Wat Tyler, Nobs, Tom Miller the clown.