Master Roister Doister must have answer in haste, For he loveth not to spend much labour in waste. Now as for Christian Custance, by this light, Though she had not her troth to Gawin Goodluck plight, Yet rather than with such a loutish dolt to marry, I daresay would live a poor life solitary. But fain would I speak with Custance, if I wist how, To laugh at the matter. Yond cometh one forth now. ACTUS III., SCÆNA 2. TIBET. M. MERRYGREEK (_aside_). TIB. TALK. Ah! that I might but once in my life have a sight Of him who made us all so ill-shent! By this light, He should never escape, if I had him by the ear, But even from his head I would it bite or tear. Yea, and if one of them were not enou', I would bite them both off, I make God avow. M. MERRY. What is he, whom this little mouse doth so threaten? [_Aside._ TIB. TALK. I would teach him, I trow, to make girls shent or beaten. M. MERRY. I will call her. Maid, with whom are ye so hasty? TIB. TALK. Not with you, sir, but with a little wage-pasty; A deceiver of folks by subtle craft and guile. M. MERRY. I know where she is: Dobinet hath wrought some wile. TIB. TALK. He brought a ring and token, which he said was sent From our dame's husband, but I wot well I was shent; For it liked her as well (to tell you no lies) As water in a[103] ship, or salt cast in her eyes: And yet, whence it came, neither we nor she can tell. M. MERRY. We shall have sport anon: I like this very well. [_Aside._ And dwell ye here with mistress Custance, fair maid? TIB. TALK. Yea, marry do I, sir: what would ye have said? M. MERRY. A little message unto her, by word of mouth. TIB. TALK. No messages, by your leave, nor tokens forsooth. M. MERRY. Then help me to speak with her. TIB. TALK. With a good will that. Here she cometh forth. Now speak--ye know best what. C. CUSTANCE. None other life with you, maid, but abroad to skip? TIB. TALK. Forsooth, here is one would speak with your mistresship. C. CUSTANCE. Ah, have ye been learning of mo messages now? TIB. TALK. I would not hear his mind, but bad him show it to you. C. CUSTANCE. In at doors! TIB. TALK. I am gone. [_Exit._ M. MERRY. Dame Custance, God ye save! C. CUSTANCE. Welcome, friend Merrygreek; and what thing would ye have? M. MERRY. I am come to you a little matter to break. C. CUSTANCE. But see it be honest, else better not to speak. M. MERRY. How feel ye yourself affected here of late? C. CUSTANCE. I feel no manner change, but after the old rate. But whereby do ye mean? M. MERRY. Concerning marriage. Doth not love lade you? C. CUSTANCE. I feel no such carriage.