If thou wilt be my man, and wait upon me, This sword and buckler I will give thee. RUFF. I will do all at your commandment; As servant to you I will be obedient. MERETRIX. Then let me see how before me ye can go. When I speak to you, ye shall do so: Off with your cap at place and at board: _Forsooth, Mistress Meretrix_, at every word, Tut, tut, in the camp such soldiers there be; One good woman would beat away two or three. Well, I am sure, customers tarry at home: Mannerly, before: and let us begone. [_Exeunt._ _Enter_ AMBIDEXTER. AMBIDEXTER. O’ the passion of God, be they here still or no? I durst not abide to see her beat them so. I may say to you I was in such a fright: Body of me, I see the hair of my head stand upright. When I saw her so hard upon them lay, O’ the passion of God, thought I, she will be with me anon. I made no more ado, but avoided the thrust, And to my legs began for to trust; And fell a laughing to myself, when I was once gone: It is wisdom (quoth I), by the mass, to save one. Then into this place I intended to trudge, Thinking to meet Sisamnes the judge. Behold, where he cometh, I will him meet; And like a gentleman I mean him to greet. _Enter_ SISAMNES. SISAMNES. Since that the king’s grace’s majesty in office did me set, What abundance of wealth to me might I get? Now and then some vantage I achieve, Much more yet may I take; But that I fear unto the king That some complaint will make. AMBIDEXTER. Jesu, Master Sisamnes, you are unwise. SISAMNES. Why so? I pray ye, let me agnise, What, Master Ambidexter, is it you? Now welcome to me, I make God a vow. AMBIDEXTER. Jesu, Master Sisamnes, with me you are well acquainted: By me rulers may be trimly painted. Ye are unwise, if ye take not time while ye may: If ye will not now, when ye would, ye shall have nay. What is he, that of you dare make exclamation, Of your wrong-dealings to make explication? Can you not play with both hands, and turn with the wind? SISAMNES. Believe me, your words draw deep in my mind, In colour wise unto this day To bribes I have inclined: More the same for to frequent Of truth I am now minded. Behold, even now unto me suitors do proceed. SMALL HABILITY.