WEALTH.
I thy wife, man! Why, I am too young.
SIMPLICITY. And I am too old. But in good earnest, good boys—be not angry that I call you boys, for ye are no men yet: ye have no beards, and yet I have seen boys angry for being called boys. Forsooth they would be called youths: well, yet a boy is a boy, and a youth is a youth.—Well, if ye be not ashamed of the boy, good boys, whose boys are ye?
WIT. No whit ashamed, sir, of that that we are, nor ashamed at all of those whom we serve? for boys we be, and as we be, we serve the three Lords of London: to wit, Policy, Pomp, and Pleasure.
SIMPLICITY.
A pretty-spoken child, and a pretty wit.
WILL.
Wit's his name, indeed: are ye one of his godfathers, ye hit it so right?
SIMPLICITY. It is more than I know: then, is thy name Wit, boy? Now, of mine honesty, welcome, for I have wanted thee a great while.
WIT. Welcome, sir! how so? why do ye entertain me so kindly? I cannot dwell with you, for I have a master already.
SIMPLICITY. So have I, too, but she learns me little wit—my wife, I mean. Well, all this while I stand here, my wares are not abroad, and so I may lose both my customers and market.
WEALTH.
Wares, sir! have ye wares? what wares do ye sell?
SIMPLICITY. Truly, child, I sell ballads. Soft; whose wares are these that are up already?[235] I paid rent for my standing, and other folks' wares shall be placed afore mine? this is wise, indeed.