R. ROISTER. Let all this pass, sweetheart, and accept my service. C. CUSTANCE. I will not be served with a fool in no wise. When I choose an husband, I hope to take a man. M. MERRY. And where will ye find one which can do that he can? Now this man toward you being so kind, Why not make him an answer somewhat to his mind? C. CUSTANCE. I sent him a full answer by you, did I not? M. MERRY. And I reported it. C. CUSTANCE. Nay, I must speak it again. R. ROISTER. No, no, he told it all. M. MERRY. Was I not meetly plain? R. ROISTER. Yes. M. MERRY. But I would not tell all; for, faith, if I had, With you, dame Custance, ere this hour it had been bad; And not without cause: for this goodly personage Meant no less than to join with you in marriage. C. CUSTANCE. Let him waste no more labour nor suit about me. M. MERRY. Ye know not where your preferment lieth, I see; He sendeth you such a token, ring and letter. C. CUSTANCE. Marry, here it is; ye never saw a better. M. MERRY. Let us see your letter. C. CUSTANCE. Hold! read it if ye can: And see what letter it is to win a woman. M. MERRY. [_reads_:] _To mine own dear coney, bird, sweetheart, and pigsny,_ _Good Mistress Custance, present these by and by._ Of this superscription do ye blame the style? C. CUSTANCE. With the rest, as good stuff as ye read a great while. M. MERRY. [_reads_:] "Sweet Mistress, where as I love you nothing at all, Regarding your substance and riches chief of all; For your personage, beauty, demeanour and wit, I commend me unto you never a whit. Sorry to bear report of your good welfare, For, (as I hear say) such your conditions are, That ye be worthy favour of no living man; To be abhorred of every honest man. To be taken for a woman inclined to vice; Nothing at all to virtue giving her due price. Wherefore concerning marriage ye are thought Such a fine paragon as ne'er honest man bought. And now by these presents I do you advertise, That I am minded to marry you in no wise. For your goods and substance, I could be content To take you as ye are. If ye mind to be my wife, Ye shall be assured, for the time of my life, I will keep ye right well from good raiment and fare; Ye shall not be kept but in sorrow and care. Ye shall in no wise live at your own liberty; Do and say what ye lust, ye shall never please me; But when ye are merry, I will be all sad; When ye are sorry, I will be very glad. When ye seek your heart's ease, I will be unkind; At no time in me shall ye much gentleness find; But all things contrary to your will and mind Shall be done: otherwise I will not be behind To speak. And as for all them that would do you wrong, I will so help and maintain, ye shall not live long.