Then chief of council must be Matthew Merrygreek! What, if I for marriage to such an one seek? Then must I sooth[42] it, whatever it is; For what he saith or doth cannot be amiss. Hold by his yea and nay, be his nown white son:[43] Praise and rouse him well, and ye have his heart won; For so well liketh he his own fond fashions, That he taketh pride of false commendations. But such sport have I with him, as I would not lese, Though I should be bound to live with bread and cheese. For exalt him and have him as ye lust indeed; Yea, to hold his finger in a hole for a need. I can with a word make him fain or loth; I can with as much make him pleased or wroth; I can, when I will, make him merry and glad; I can, when me lust, make him sorry and sad; I can set him in hope, and eke in despair; I can make him speak rough, and make him speak fair. But I marvel I see him not all this same day: I will seek him out. But lo! he cometh this way. I have yond espied him sadly coming, And in love, for twenty pound, by his gloming.[44] ACTUS I., SCÆNA 2. RALPH ROISTER DOISTER, MATTHEW MERRYGREEK. R. ROISTER. Come, death, when thou wilt: I am weary of my life. M. MERRY. I told you, I, we should woo another wife. [_Aside._ R. ROISTER. Why did God make me such a goodly person? M. MERRY. He is in, by the week; we shall have sport anon. [_Aside._ R. ROISTER. And where is my trusty friend, Matthew Merrygreek? M. MERRY. I will make as I saw him not; he doth me seek. [_Aside._ R. ROISTER. I have him espied, me-thinketh; yond is he; Ho! Matthew Merrygreek, my friend, a word with thee. M. MERRY. I will not hear him, but make as I had haste. [_Aside._ Farewell, all my good friends, the time away doth waste; And the tide, they say, tarrieth for no man. R. ROISTER. Thou must with thy good counsel help me, if thou can. M. MERRY. God keep thee, worshipful Master Roister Doister, And farewell the lusty Master Roister Doister. R. ROISTER. I must needs speak with thee a word or twain. M. MERRY. Within a month or two I will be here again. Negligence in great affairs, ye know, may mar all. R. ROISTER. Attend upon me now, and well reward thee I shall. M. MERRY. I have take my leave, and the tide is well-spent. R. ROISTER. I die, except thou help; I pray thee be content. Do thy part well now, and ask what thou wilt; For without thy aid my matter is all spilt. M. MERRY. Then to serve your turn I will some pains take, And let all mine own affairs alone for your sake. R. ROISTER. My whole hope and trust resteth only in thee. M. MERRY. Then can ye not do amiss, whatever it be.