M. MERRY. Yea, malkin, I warrant you, as much as they dare. And ye will not believe what they say in the street, When your maship passeth by, all such as I meet, That sometimes I can scarce find what answer to make. Who is this? (saith one) Sir Launcelot du Lake?[55] Who is this? Great Guy of Warwick, saith another? No (say I), it is the thirteenth Hercules brother. Who is this? noble Hector of Troy? saith the third: No, but of the same nest (say I) it is a bird. Who is this? great Goliah, Sampson, or Colbrand? No (say I), but it is a brute of the aly land.[56] Who is this? great Alexander or Charlemagne? No, it is the tenth Worthy, say I to them again: I know not if I said well-- R. ROISTER. Yes, for so I am. M. MERRY. Yea, for there were but nine worthies, before ye came. To some others the third Cato I do you call;[57] And so, as well as I can, I answer them all. Sir, I pray you what lord or great gentleman is this? Master Ralph Roister Doister, dame (say I), i-wis. O Lord (saith she then), what a goodly man it is! Would Christ I had such a husband as he is! O Lord (say some), that the sight of his face we lack! It is enough for you (say I) to see his back; His face is for ladies of high and noble parages,[58] With whom he hardly 'scapeth great marriages. With much more than this and much otherwise. R. ROISTER. I can thee thank,[59] that thou canst such answers devise: But I perceive thou dost me throughly know. M. MERRY. I mark your manners for mine own learning, I trow. But such is your beauty, and such are your acts, Such is your personage, and such are your facts,[60] That all women, fair and foul, more and less, They eye you, they lub[61] you, they talk of you doubtless. Your pleasant look maketh them all merry: Ye pass not by, but they laugh, till they be weary: Yea, and money could I have, the truth to tell, Of many, to bring you that way where they dwell. R. ROISTER. Merrygreek, for this thy reporting well of me-- M. MERRY. What should I else, sir? it is my duty, pardè. R. ROISTER. I promise thou shalt not lack, while I have a groat. M. MERRY. Faith, sir, and I ne'er had more need of a new coat. R. ROISTER. Thou shalt have one to-morrow, and gold for to spend. M. MERRY. Then I trust to bring the day to a good end. For as for mine own part, having money enou', I could live only with the remembrance of you-- But now to your widow, whom you love so hot-- R. ROISTER. By Cock, thou sayest truth, I had almost forgot. M. MERRY. What, if Christian Custance will not have you, what? R. ROISTER. Have me? yes, I warrant you, never doubt of that: I know she loveth me, but she dare not speak. M. MERRY. Indeed, meet it were somebody should it break.