M. MERRY. Back, for the pash of God! back, sirs, back again! What is the great matter? R. ROISTER. This hasty forth-going Had almost brought us all to utter undoing; It made me forget a thing most necessary. M. MERRY. Well remembered of a captain, by Saint Mary. R. ROISTER. It is a thing must be had. M. MERRY. Let us have it then. R. ROISTER. But I wot not where or how. M. MERRY. Then wot not I when. But what is it? R. ROISTER. Of a chief thing I am to seek. M. MERRY. Tut, so will ye be, when ye have studied a week. [_Aside._ But tell me what it is? R. ROISTER. I lack yet an headpiece. M. MERRY. The kitchen collocavit the best hens to grease; Run, fet it, Dobinet, and come at once withal, And bring with thee my potgun,[159] hanging by the wall.[160] I have seen your head with it, full many a time, Covered as safe as it had been with a scrine: And I warrant it save your head from any stroke, Except perchance to be amazed with the smoke: I warrant your head therewith, except for the mist, As safe as if it were fast locked up in a chist. And lo, here our Dobinet cometh with it now. D. DOUGH. It will cover me to the shoulders well enou'. M. MERRY. Let me see it on. R. ROISTER. In faith, it doth meetly well. M. MERRY. There can be no fitter thing. Now ye must us tell What to do. R. ROISTER. Now forth in 'ray, sirs, and stop no more. M. MERRY. Now, Saint George to borrow![161] Drum, dub-a-dub afore. T. TRUSTY. What mean you to do, sir? Commit manslaughter? R. ROISTER. To kill forty such is a matter of laughter. T. TRUSTY. And who is it, sir, whom ye intend thus to spill? R. ROISTER. Foolish Custance here forceth me against my will. T. TRUSTY. And is there no mean your extreme wrath to slake? She shall some amends unto your good maship make. R. ROISTER. I will none amends. T. TRUSTY. Is her offence so sore? M. MERRY. And he were a lout, she could have done no more. She hath call'd him fool, and 'dressed him like a fool, Mocked him like a fool, used him like a fool. T. TRUSTY. Well, yet the Sheriff, the Justice or Constable, Her misdemeanour to punish might be able. R. ROISTER. No, sir, I mine own self will, in this present cause, Be Sheriff and Justice, and whole Judge of the laws. This matter to amend all officers be I shall: Constable, Bailiff, Sergeant-- M. MERRY. And hangman, and all. [_Aside._ T. TRUSTY. Yet a noble courage and the heart of a man Should more honour win by bearing with a woman. Therefore take the law, and let her answer thereto. R. ROISTER. Merrygreek, the best way were even so to do. What honour should it be with a woman to fight? M. MERRY. And what, then, will ye thus forego and lese your right?