_Luce._ Yes, and will perform
My part exactly.
_Jasp._ I desire no more,
Farewell, and keep my heart, 'tis yours.
_Luce._ I take it,
He must do miracles, makes me forsake it. [_Exeunt._
_Cit._ Fie upon 'em, little infidels, what a matter's here now? Well,
I'll be hang'd for a half-penny, if there be not some abomination knavery
in this play; well, let 'em look to it, Ralph must come, and if there be
any tricks a-brewing----
_Wife._ Let 'em brew and bake too, husband, a God's name. Ralph will find
all out I warrant you, and they were older than they are. I pray, my
pretty youth, is Ralph ready?
_Boy._ He will be presently.
_Wife._ Now I pray you make my commendations unto him, and withal, carry
him this stick of liquorice; tell him his mistress sent it him, and bid
him bite a piece, 'twill open his pipes the better, say.
_Enter_ MERCHANT _and_ MASTER HUMPHREY.
_Merch._ Come, sir, she's yours, upon my faith she's yours,
You have my hand; for other idle lets,
Between your hopes and her, thus with a wind
They're scattered, and no more. My wanton prentice,
That like a bladder blew himself with love,
I have let out, and sent him to discover
New masters yet unknown.
_Hum._ I thank you, sir,
Indeed I thank you, sir; and ere I stir,
It shall be known, however you do deem,
I am of gentle blood, and gentle seem.
_Merch._ Oh, sir, I know it certain.
_Hum._ Sir, my friend,
Although, as writers say, all things have end,
And that we call a pudding, hath his two,
Oh let it not seem strange, I pray to you,
If in this bloody simile, I put
My love, more endless than frail things or gut.
_Wife._ Husband, I prithee, sweet lamb, tell me one thing, but tell me
truly. Stay, youths, I beseech you, till I question my husband.
_Cit._ What is it, mouse?
_Wife._ Sirrah, didst thou ever see a prettier child? how it behaves
itself, I warrant you: and speaks and looks, and perts up the head? I
pray you brother, with your favour, were you never one of Mr. Muncaster's
scholars?
_Cit._ Chicken, I prithee heartily contain thyself, the childer are
pretty childer, but when Ralph comes, lamb!
_Wife._ Ay, when Ralph comes, cony! Well, my youth, you may proceed.
_Merch._ Well, sir, you know my love, and rest, I hope,
Assured of my consent; get but my daughter's,
And wed her when you please; you must be bold,
And clap in close unto her; come, I know
You've language good enough to win a wench.
_Wife._ A toity tyrant, hath been an old stringer in his days, I warrant
him.
_Hum._ I take your gentle offer, and withal
Yield love again for love reciprocal.
_Mar._ What, Luce, within there?
_Enter_ LUCE.
_Luce._ Called you, sir?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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