_Merch._ I did;
Give entertainment to this gentleman;
And see you be not froward: to her, sir, [_Exit._
My presence will but be an eyesore to you.
_Hum._ Fair mistress Luce, how do you, are you well?
Give me your hand, and then I pray you tell,
How doth your little sister, and your brother,
And whether you love me or any other?
_Luce._ Sir, these are quickly answered.
_Hum._ So they are,
Where women are not cruel; but how far
Is it now distant from the place we are in,
Unto that blessed place, your father's warren.
_Luce._ What makes you think of that, sir?
_Hum._ E'en that face,
For stealing rabbits whilome in that place,
God Cupid, or the keeper, I know not whether,
Unto my cost and charges brought you thither,
And there began----
_Luce._ Your game, sir.
_Hum._ Let no game,
Or anything that tendeth to the same,
Be evermore remembered, thou fair killer,
For whom I sate me down and brake my tiller.
_Wife._ There's a kind gentleman, I warrant you. When will you do as much
for me, George?
_Luce._ Beshrew me, sir, I'm sorry for your losses,
But as the proverb says, I cannot cry;
I would you had not seen me.
_Hum._ So would I,
Unless you had more maw to do me good.
_Luce._ Why, cannot this strange passion be withstood?
Send for a constable, and raise the town.
_Hum._ Oh no, my valiant love will batter down
Millions of constables, and put to flight
E'en that great watch of Midsummer Day at night.
_Luce._ Beshrew me, sir, 'twere good I yielded then,
Weak women cannot hope, where valiant men
Have no resistance.
_Hum._ Yield then, I am full
Of pity, though I say it, and can pull
Out of my pocket thus a pair of gloves.
Look, Luce, look, the dog's tooth, nor the doves
Are not so white as these; and sweet they be,
And whipt about with silk, as you may see.
If you desire the price, shoot from your eye
A beam to this place, and you shall espy
F. S., which is to say, my sweetest honey,
They cost me three-and-twopence, and no money.
_Luce._ Well, sir, I take them kindly, and I thank you; what
What would you more?
_Hum._ Nothing.
_Luce._ Why then, farewell.
_Hum._ Nor so, nor so, for, lady, I must tell,
Before we part, for what we met together,
God grant me time, and patience, and fair weather.
_Luce._ Speak and declare your mind in terms so brief.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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