I say:

every shere!

Not a denier' left, and yet my heart leaps. I do · Boy. Well, sir, he shall come out; but if our wonder yet, as old as I am, that any man will play miscarry, sir, you are like to pay for't. follow a trade, or serve, that may sing and laugh,

[Exit. and walk the streets. My wife and both my sons Cit. Bring him away then! are I know not where; I have nothing left, nor Wife. This will be brave, i'faith! George, know I how to come by meat to supper; yet am shall not he dance the morris too, for the credit I merry still; for I know I shall find it upon the of the Strand? table at six o'clock; therefore, hang thought! "Cit. No, sweetheart, it will be too much for

[Sings. the boy. Oh, there he is, Nell' he's reasonable I would not be a serving-man

well in reparrel; but he has not rings enough.'
To carry the cloak-bag still,
Nor would I be a falconer

Enter RALPH, dressed as a May-lord.
The greedy hawks to fill;

Ralph. London, to thee I do present the merry
But I would be in a good house,

month of May;
And have a good master too ;
But I would eat and drink of the best,

Let each true subject be content to hear me what
And no work would I do.
This it is that keeps life and soul together, mirth!

For from the top of Conduit-Head, as plainly This is the philosopher's stone that they write so

may appear, much on, that keeps a man ever young!

I will both tell my name to you, and wherefore

I came here.
Enter a Boy.

My name is Ralph, by due descent, though not

ignoble 1, Boy. Sir, they say they know all your money Yet far inferior to the flock of gracious grocery: is gone, and they will trust you for no more drink. Mer. Will they not ? let 'em chuse! The best

And by the common counsel of my fellows in the

Strand, is, I have mirth at home, and need not send abroad for that; let them keep their drink to

With gilded staff, and crossed scarf, thọ May

lord here I stand. themselves.

[Sings.

Rejoice, O English hearts, rejoice, rejoice, O For Jillian of Berry she dwells on a hill,

lovers dear;
And she hath good beer and ale to sell,

Rejoice, O city, town, and country, rejoice eke
And ot good fellows she thinks no ill,
And thither will we go now, now, now,
And thither will we go now.

For now the fragrant flowers do spring and

sprout in seemly sort,
And when you have made a little stay,

The little birds do sit and sing, the lambs do
You need not ask what is to pay,
But kiss your hostess, and go your way,

make fine sport;
And thither will we go now, now, now,

And now the burchin-tree doth bud, that makes And thither will we go now.

the schoolboy cry, Enter another Boy.

The morris rings, while hobby-horse' doth foot

it featuously; 2 Boy. Sir, I can get no bread for supper. The lords and ladies now abroad, for their dis

Mer. Hang bread and supper! let's preserve port and play, our mirth, and we shall never feel hunger, I'll Do kiss sometimes upon the grass, and somewarrant you. Let's have a catch. Boy, follow times in the hay. me; come, sing this catch.

Now butter with a leaf of sage is good to purge [They sing the following catch. the blood, Ho, ho, nobody at home,

Fly Venus and phlebotomy, for they are neither Meat, nor drink, nor money ha' we none ?

good! Fill the pot, Eedy,

Now little fish on tender stone begin to cast Never more need I.

their bellies, Mer. So, boys; enough. Follow me. Let's And sluggish snails, that erst were mew'd, do change our place, and we shall laugh afresh.

creep out of their shellies. [Exeunt.

The rumbling rivers now do warm, for little • Wife. Let him go, George; a' shall not have boys to paddle; any countenance from us, nor a good word from

The sturdy steed now goes to grass, and up they any i' th' company, if I may strike stroke in't.

hang his saddle. Cit. No more a sha'not, love. But, Nell, I

The beavy hart, the bellowing buck, the rascal, will have Ralph do a very notable matter now,

and the pricket, to the eternal honour and glory of all grocers.

Are now among the yeoman's pease, and leave Sirrah; you there!

the fearful thicket. Boy! Can none of you hear?

And be like them, O you, I say, of this same * Boy. Sir, your pleasure ?

noble town, • Cit. Let Ralph come out on May-day in the

And lift aloft your velvet heads, and slipping off morning, and speak upon a conduit, with all his

your gown, scarfs about him, and his feathers, and his rings,

With bells on legs, and napkins clean, unto your and his knacks.

shoulders tied, * Boy. Why, sir, you do not think of our plot; With scarfs and garters as you please, and · Hey what will become of that then?

for our town!' cried. Cit. Why, sir, I care not what become on't! March out and show your willing minds, by 1'll have him come out, or I'll fetch him out my

twenty and by twenty, self; I'll have something done in honour of the To Hogsdon, or to Newington, where ale and city. Besides, he hath been long enough upon

cakes are plenty! adventures. Bring him out quickly; or, if I come in amongst you

"hobby-horse-one of the dancers in the old morrisdance, represented by the figure of a horse fastened

round the waist of a man. la denier is a French farthing - half an English ? rascal, pricket-rascal is a lean deer, and pricket a farthing.

buck in the second year.

And let it ne'er be said for shame, that we the To see thy will performed. Now will I go youths of London,

To satisfy thy father for thy wrongs. [Exit. Lay thrumming of our caps at home, and left Hum. What shall I do? I have been beaten our custom undone.

twice, Up then, I say, both young and old, both man And Mistress Luce is gone! Help me, Device! and maid a-Maying.

Since my true love is gone, I never more, With drums and guns that bounce aloud, and Whilst I do live, upon the sky will pore; merry tabor playing!

But in the dark will wear out my shoe-soles Which prolong, God save our king, and send In passion, in Saint Faith's church unde Paul's. his country peace,

[Exit. And root out treason from the land! and so, my • Wife. George, call Ralph hither; if you love friends, I cease.

[Exit. me, call Ralph hither! I have the bravest thing

for him to do.-George! pr’ythee, call him quickly. END OF ACT IV.

Cit. Ralph! why, Ralph, boy'

Enter RALPH.
ACT V.-SCENE I.

Ralph. Here, sir.

Cit. Como hither, Ralph; come to thy misA Room in the House of VENTERWELS.

tress, boy. Enter VENTERWELS,

Wife Ralph, I would have theo call all the

youths together in battle-ray, with drumns, and Vent. I will have no great store of company at

guns, and flags, and march to Mile-enrii in the wedding: a couple of neighbours and their

pompous fashion, and there exhort your soldiers wives; and we will have a capon in stewed

to be merry and wise, and to keep their beards broth, with marrow, and a good piece of beef, from burning, Ralph; and then skirmish, and stuck with rosemary.

let your flags fly, and cry, "Kill, kill, kill!" My Enter Jasper, his face mealed.

husbaud shall lend you his jerkin, Ralph, and

there's a scarf; for the rest, the house shall furJasp. Forbear thy pains, fond man! it is too

nish you, and we'll pay for t. Do it bravely, Vent. Heaven bless me! Jasper ? (late. Ralph; and think before whom you perform, Jasp. Ay, I am his ghost,

and what person you represent. Whom thou hast injured for his constant love.

• Ralph. I warrant you, mistress; if I do it not. Fond worldly wretch! who dost not understand

for the honour of the city, and the credit of my In death that true hearts cannot parted be. master, let me never hope for freedom! First know, thy daughter is quite borne away • Wife. 'Tis well spoken, i'faith! Go thy ways; On wings of angels, through the liquid air,

thou art a spark indeed. Too far out of thy reach, and never more

Cit. Ralph, Ralph, double your files bravely, Shalt thou behold her face. But she and I

Ralph! Will in another world enjoy our loves;

Ralph. I warrant you, sir.

[Erit. Where neither father's anger, poverty,

. Cit. Let him look narrowly to his servico; I Nor any cross that troubles earthly men,

sball take him else. I was there myself a pikoShall make us sever our united hearts.

man once, in the hottest of the day, wench; bad And never shalt thou sit, or be alone

my feather shot sheer away, the fringe of my In any place, but I will visit thee

pike burnt off with powder, my pate broken with With ghastly looks, and put into thy mind

a scouring-stick, and yet, I thank God, I am here. The great offences which thou didst to me.

[Dorems within When thou art at thy table with thy friends, • Wife. Iark, George, the drums! Merry in heart, and filled with swelling wine,

Cit. Ran, tan, tan, tan, tan, tan! Oh, wench, I'll come in midst of all thy pride and iirth, an' thou hadst but seen little Ned of Aldgate, Invisible to all men but thyself,

drum Ned, how he made it roar again, and laid And whisper such a sad tale in thine ear,

on like a tyrant, and then struck softly till the Shall make thee let the cup fall from thy land, ward came up, and then thundered again, and And stand as mute and pale as death itself. Vent. Forgive me, Jasper! Oh, what might I guns! “Courage, my hearts," quoth the captains!

together we go! Sa, sa, sa, bounce, quoth the Tell me, to satisfy thy troubled ghost ? [do,

"Saint George," quoth the pike-mon! And Jasp. There is no means; too late thou think'st withal, here they lay, and thero they lay! And of this.

yet for all this I am here, wench. Vent. But tell me what were best for me to do?

• Wife. Be thankful for it, George; for indeed Jasp. Repent thy deed, and satisfy my father, 'tis wonderful.' And beat fond Humphrey out of thy doors.

[Erit. Enter HUMPHREY.

ACT V.-SCENE II. • Wife. Look, George; his very ghost would

Mile-end. have folks beaten.' Ilum. Father, my bride is gone, fair Mistress Enter Ralpa, William HAMERTOS, GEORGE Luce.

GREENGOOSF, and others of kis Company, My soul's the fount of vengeance, mischiof's with Drums and Colours. sluice.

Ralph. March fair, my hearts ! lieutenant, beat Vent. Hence, fool, out of my sight, with thy the rear up. Ancient,” let your colours tly; bat fond passion!

have a great care of the butchers' hooks at WhiteThou hast undone me.

[Beats him. chapel; they have been the death of many a fair Hum. Hold, my father dear!

ancient. Open your files, that I may take a view For Luce, thy daughter's sake, that had no peer. Vent. Thy father, fool? There's some blows more; be gone!

[Beats him again. 1 Mile-end-then the citizens' training-ground. Jasper, I hope thy ghost be well appeased

• ancient-ensign.

both of your persons and munition. Sergeant, Whose care doth bear you company in baskets. call a muster.

Remember then whose cause you have in hand, Serg. A stand!- William Hamerton, pewterer! And, like a sort of true-born scavengers, Ham. Here, captain.

Scour me this famous realm of enemies. Ralph. A corslet and a Spanish pike! 'tis well. I bave no more to say but this : stand to your Can you shake it with a terror ?

tacklings, lads, and show to the world you can Ham. I hope so, captain.

as well brandish a sword as shake an apron. Ralph. Charge upon me.—'Tis with the weakest. Saint George, and on, my hearts ! Put more strength, William Hamerton, more AU. Saint George, Saint George! (Exeunt. strength. As you were again. Proceed, sergeant. • Wife. 'Twas well done, Ralph! I'll send Serg. George Greengoose, poulterer!

thee a cold capon a-field. and a bottle of March Green. Here!

beer; and, it may be, como myself to see thee. Ralph. Let me see your piece, neighbour Green • Cit. Nell, the boy hath deceived me much! goose; when was she shot in

I did not think it had been in him. He has perGreen. An't like you, master captain, I made formed such a matter, wench, that, if I live, next a shot even now, partly to scour her, and partly year I'll have him captain of the gallifoist, or for audacity.'

I'll want my will.' Ralph. It should seem so certainly, for her breath is yet inflamed. Besides, there is a main fault in the touch-hole, it runs and stinketh.

ACT V.-SCENE III. And I tell you, moreover, and believe it, ten such touch-holes would breed the pox i' th' army.

A Room in Old MERRYTHOUGHT's House. Get you a feather, neighbour, get you a feather, sweet oil, and paper, and your piece may do well

Enter Old MERRYTHOUGHT. enough yet. Where's your powder ? Green. Here.

Mer. Yet, I thank God, I break not a wrinkle Ralph. What, in a paper ? As I am a soldier more than I had. Not a stoop, boys ? Care, and a gentleman, it craves a martial-court! You live with cats: I defy thee! "My heart is as ought to die for't. Where's your horn? Answer sound as an oak; and though I want drink to me to that,

wet my whistle, I can sing,

[Sings. Green. An't like you, sir, I was oblivious. Ralph. It liko mo not you should be so; 'tis a

Come no more there, boys, come no more there;

For we shall never whilst we live come any more there. shame for you, and a scandal to all our neighbours, being a man of worth and estimation, to

Enter a Boy, and two Men bringing in the coffin, leave your horn behind you; I am afraid 'twill

with Luce in it. breed example. But let me tell you, no more on't. Stand, till I view you all. What's become Boy. God save you, sir! o'th' nose of your flask?

Mer. It's a brave boy. Canst thou sing ? 1 Sol. Indeed-la, captain, 'twas blown away Boy. Yes, sir, I can sing; but 'tis not so neceswith powder.

sary at this time. Ralph. Put on a new one at the city's charge. Where's the stone? of this piece ?

Mer. Sing we, and chaunt it,

Whilst love doth grant it. 2 Sol. The drummer took it out to light tobacco.

Boy. Sir, sir, if you knew what I have brought Ralph. 'Tis a fault, my friend; put it in again. you, you would have little list to sing. You want a nose, and you a stone; sergeant, take a note on't, for I mean to stop it in the pay.

Mer. On the mimon round,

Full long I have thee sought, Remove and march! [They march.] Soft and

And now I have thee found, fair, gentlemen, soft and fair! Double your files;

And what hast thou here brought ? as you were ! faces about! Now, you with the sodden face, keep in there! Look to your match,

Boy. A coffin, sir, and your dead son Jasper sirrah ; it will be in your fellow's flask anon.

in it. So; make a crescent now; advance your pikes;

Mer. Dead? Why, farewell he! stand and give ear!–Gentlemen, countrymen,

Thou wast a bonny boy, friends, and my fellow-soldiers, I have brought

And I did love thee. you this day from the shops of security, and the counters of content, to measure out in these

Enter JASPER. furious fields honour by the ell, and prowess by the pound. Let it not, oh, let it not, I say, be

Jasp. Then I pray you, sir, do so still. told hereafter, the noble issue of this city fainted;

Mer. Jasper's ghost ?

[Sings. but bear yourselves in this fair action like men, Thou art welcome from Stygian lake so soon; valiant men, and free men! Fear not the face

Declare to me what wondrous things in Pluto's court of the enemy, nor the noise of the guns; for,

are done. believe me, brethren, the rude rumbling of a brewer's cart is far more terrible, of which you

Jasp. By my troth, sir, I ne'er came there; 'tis have a daily experience; neither let the stink

too hot for me, sir. of powder offend you, since a more valiant stink Mer. A merry ghost, a very merry ghost ! is nightly with you. To a resolved mind, his

[Sings. home is everywhere :

And where is your true love? Oh, where is yours? I speak not this to take away The hope of your return; for you shall see Jasp. Marry. look you, sir!. [Opens the coffin. (I do not doubt it), and that very shortly,

Mer. Ah, ha! art ihou good at that, i'faith? Your loving wives again, and your sweet children,

I audacity-boldness, bravery.
2 stone-ie. flint.

1 sort-lot, company.
2 galli foisl—the Lord Mayor's barge.
stoop or stoup-a drinking vessel.

3

Oh, Master Merrythought, these are the weights Mrs. MERRYTHOUGHT and MICHAEL within.

Will sink me to my grave! Forgive me, sir. Mrs. Mer. What, Master Merrythought! will

Mer. Why, sir, I do forgive you; and be merry! you not let's in? What do you think shall be

And if the wag in's lifetime play'd the knave, come of us?

Can you forgive bim too? Mer. What voice is that that calleth at our

Vent. With all my heart, sir. door?

Mer. Speak it again, and heartily. Mrs. Mer. You know me well enough; I am

Vent. I do, sir; sure I have not been such a stranger to you.

Now, by my soul, I do.

Mer. (sings.] With that came out his paramour; Mer. (sings.) And some they whistled, and some they

She was as white as the lily flower. sung,

Hey troul, troly, loly!
Hey down, down!
And some did loudly say,

Enter Luce and JASPER.
Ever as the Lord Barnet's horn blew,
Away, Musgrave, away.

With that came ont her own dear knight,

He was as true as ever did fight, &c. Mrs. Mer. You will not have us starve here, will you, Master Merrythought?

Sir, if you will forgive 'em, clap their hands Jasp. Nay, good sir, be persuaded; she's my together; there's no more to be said i'th' matter. mother:

Vent. I do, I do. If her offences have been great against you,

• Cit. I do not like this: peace, boys! Hear Let your own love remember she is yours,

me, one of you! everybody's part is come to an And so forgive her.

end but Ralph's, and he's left out. Luce. Good Master Merrythought,

• Boy, 'Tis long of yourself, sir; we have Let me entreat you; I will not be denied. nothing to do with his part. Mrs. Mer. Why, Master Merrythought, will

Cil. Ralph, come away! Make (an end) ou you be a vex'd thing still ?

him, as you have done of the rest, boys; come! Mer. Woman, I take you to my love again;

• Wife. Now, good husband, let him como out but you shall sing before you enter; therefore and die. despatch your song, and so come in.

Cit. He shall, Nell. — Ralph, come away Mrs. Mer. Well, you must have your will, quickly, and die, boy. when all's done.-Micke, what song canst thou

• Boy. 'Twill be very unfit he should die, sir, sing, boy?

upon no occasion; and in a comedy too. Mich. I can sing none forsooth, but “A Lady's Cit. Take you no care of that, Sir Boy; is Daughter of Paris, properly. [Sings within. not his part at an end, think you, when he's dead?

-Come away, Ralph!'
It was a lady's daughter, &c.

Enter Ralph, with a forked arrow through Enter Mrs. MERRYTHOUGHT dnd MICHAEL.

his head. Mer. Come, you're welcome home again. Ralph. When I was mortal, this my costive If such danger be in playing,

corps
And jest must to earnest turn,

Did lap up figs and raisins in the Strand;
You shall go no more a-Maying-

Where sitting, I espied a lovely dame,

Whose master wrought with lingelli and with Vent. [Within.] Are you within, sir ? Master awl, Merrythought!

And underground he vamped many a boot : Jasp. It is my master's voice; good sir, go Straight did her love prick forth me, tender sprig, hold him

To follow feats of arms in warlike wise, In talk, whilst we convey ourselves into

Through Waltham Desert, where I did perform Some inward room.

[Exit with LUCE. Many achievements, and did lay on ground Mer. What are you ? are you merry ?

Huge Barbaroso, that insulting giant, You must be very merry, if you enter

And all his captives soon set at liberty. Vent. I am, sir.

Then honour prick'd me from my native soil Mer. Sing then.

Into Moldavia, where I gain'd the love Vent. Nay, good sir, open to me.

Of Pompiona, his beloved daughter; Mer. Sing, I say,

But yet proved constant to the black-thumb'd Or, by the merry heart, you come not in!

maid, Vent. Well, sir, I'll sing.

[Sings. Susan, and scorn'd Pompiona's love;

Yet liberal I was, and gave her pins,
Fortune my foe, &c.

And money for her father's officers
Enter VENTERWELS.

I then returned home, and thrust myself

In action, and by all men chosen was Mer. You're welcome, sir ; you're welcome! Lord of the May; where I did flourish it, You see your entertainment; pray you be merry. With scarfs and rings, and poesy in my hand. Vent. Oh, Master Merry thought, I'm come to After this action I preferred was,

And chosen city-captain at Mile-end, Forgiveness for the wrongs I offer'd you, With hat and feather, and with leading stafl, And your most virtuous son; they are infinite, And train'd my men, and brought them all off Yet my contrition shall be more than they.

clear, I do confess my hardness broke his heart, Save one man that bewrayed him with the noise. For which just Heaven hath giv'n me punishment But all these things I Ralph did undertake More than my age can carry; his wand'ring spirit, Only for my beloved Susan's sake. Not yet at rest , pursues me everywhere,

Then coming home, and sitting in my shop Crying, "I'll haunt thee for thy cruelty.'

With apron blue, Death came into my stall
My daughter she is gone, I know not how,
Taken invisible, and whether living,
Or in the grave, 'tis yet uncertain to me.

1 lingell--a shoemaker's thread.

ask you

Better

To cheapen aquavitæ ; but ere I

SONG,
Could take the bottle down, and fill a taste,

Better music ne'er was known,
Death caught a pound of pepper in his hand,

Than a quire of hearts in one.
And sprinkled all my face and body o'er,

Let each other, that hath been
And in an instant vanished away.

Troubled with the gall or spleen,
Cit. 'Tis a pretty fiction, i'faith!'

Learn of us to keep his brow
Ralph. Then took I up my bow and shaft in

Smooth and plain, as ours are now!

Sing, though before the hour of dying;
hand,

He shall rise, and then be crying,
And walked into Moorfields to cool myself ;

Heyho, 'tis nought but mirth
But there grim cruel Death met me again,

That keeps the body from the earth., [Exeunt.
And shot this forked arrow through my head;
And now I faint; therefore be warn'd by me,
My fellows every one, of forked heads !

EPILOGUE.
Farewell, all you good boys in merry London ! Cit. Come, Nell, shall we go? the play's done.
Ne'er shall we more upon Shrove-Tuesday meet,
And pluck down houses of iniquity;

• Wife. Nay, by my faith, George, I have more (My paid increaseth) I shall never more

manners than so; I'll speak to these gentlemen whilst another pumps both legs,

first.—I thank you all, gentlemen, for your patience Nor daub a satin gown with rotten eggs; and countenance to Ralph, a poor fatherless child ! Set up a stake, oh, never more I shall !

and if I might see you at my house, it should go I die! fly, fly, my soul, to Grocers' Hall! Oh, oh, oh, &c.

hard but I would have a pottle of wine and a Wife. Well said, Ralph! Do your obeisance pipe of tobacco for you; for truly I hope you do to the gentlemen, and go your ways. Well said, like the youth; but I would be glad to know the Ralph!'

[Exit RALPH. truth: I refer it to your own discretions whether Mer. Methinks all we, thus kindly and unexpectedly reconciled, should not depart without you will applaud him or no; for I will wink,

and, whilst, you shall do what you will.--I thank Vent. A good motion.

you, with all my heart. God give you good Mer. Strike up then!

night!-Come, George.'

[Ezeunt.

Hold open,

a song