M. MERRY. Do ye feel no pangs of dotage? Answer me right. C. CUSTANCE. I doat so, that I make but one sleep all the night. But what need all these words? M. MERRY. O Jesus! will ye see What dissembling creatures these same women be? [_Aside._ The gentleman ye wot of, whom ye do so love, That ye would fain marry him, if he durst it move, Among other rich widows which are of him glad, Lest ye for lesing of him perchance might run mad, Is now contented that, upon your suit making, Ye be as one in election of taking. C. CUSTANCE. What a tale is this! That I wot of! Whom I love! M. MERRY. Yea, and he is as loving a worm again as a dove. E'en of very pity he is willing you to take, Because ye shall not destroy yourself for his sake. C. CUSTANCE. Marry, God 'ield[104] his maship! whatever he be, It is gentmanly spoken. M. MERRY. Is it not, trow ye? If ye have the grace now to offer yourself, ye speed. C. CUSTANCE. As much as though I did; this time it shall not need. But what gentleman is it, I pray you tell me plain, That wooeth so finely? M. MERRY. Lo, where ye be again! As though ye knew him not! C. CUSTANCE. Tush! ye speak in jest. M. MERRY. Nay, sure the party is in good knacking earnest, And have you he will (he saith) and have you he must. C. CUSTANCE. I am promised during my life, that is just. M. MERRY. Marry, so thinketh he--unto him alone. C. CUSTANCE. No creature hath my faith and troth but one, That is Gawin Goodluck: and if it be not he, He hath no title this way, whatever he be, For I know none to whom I have such words spoken. M. MERRY. Ye know him not, you, by his letter and token? C. CUSTANCE. Indeed true it is, that a letter I have, But I never read it yet, as God me save. M. MERRY. Ye a woman? and your letter so long unread! C. CUSTANCE. Ye may thereby know what haste I have to wed. But now, who is it for my hand? I know by guess. M. MERRY. Ah! well, I say-- C. CUSTANCE. It is Roister Doister, doubtless. M. MERRY. Will ye never leave this dissimulation? Ye know him not? C. CUSTANCE. But by imagination; For no man there is, but a very dolt and lout, That to woo a widow would so go about. He shall never have me his wife, while he do live. M. MERRY. Then will he have you if he may, so mot I thrive; And he biddeth you send him word by me, That ye humbly beseech him ye may his wife be, And that there shall be no let in you nor mistrust, But to be wedded on Sunday next, if he lust; And biddeth you to look for him. C. CUSTANCE. Doth he bid so? M. MERRY. When he cometh, ask him whether he did or no? C. CUSTANCE. Go say, that I bid him keep him warm at home, For, if he come abroad, he shall cough me a mome.[105] My mind was vexed, I 'shrew his head, sottish dolt.