To keepe the Queenes[345] peace is more for his behoofe. If any woman smyle or cast on hym an eye, Up is he to the harde eares in love by and by, 40 And in all the hotte haste must she be hys wife, Else farewell hys good days, and farewell his life, Maister Raufe Royster Doyster is but dead and gon Excepte she on hym take some compassion, Then chiefe of counsell, must be Mathew Merygreeke, 45 What if I for mariage to suche an one seeke? Then must I sooth it, what ever it is: For what he sayth or doth can not be amisse, Holde up his yea and nay, be his nowne[346] white[347] sonne, Prayse and rouse him well, and ye have his heart wonne, 50 For so well liketh he his owne fonde fashions That he taketh pride of false commendations. But such sporte have I with him as I would not leese, Though I should be bounde to lyve with bread and cheese. For exalt hym, and have hym as ye lust in deede: 55 Yea to hold his finger in a hole for a neede. I can with a worde make him fayne or loth, I can with as much make him pleased or wroth, I can when I will make him mery and glad, I can when me lust make him sory and sad, 60 I can set him in hope and eke in dispaire, I can make him speake rough, and make him speake faire. But I marvell I see hym not all thys same day, I wyll seeke him out: But loe he commeth thys way, I have yond espied hym sadly comming, A iii _b_ 65 And in love for twentie pounde, by hys glommyng. Actus. i. Scæna. ii. RAFE ROISTER DOISTER. MATHEW MERYGREEKE. _R. Royster._ Come death when thou wilt, I am weary of my life. _M. Mery._ I tolde you I, we should wowe another wife. _R. Royster._ Why did God make me suche a goodly person? _M. Mery._ He is in[348] by the weke, we shall have sport anon. _R. Royster._ And where is my trustie friende Mathew Merygreeke? 5 _M. Mery._ I wyll make as I sawe him not, he doth me seeke. _R. Roister._ I have hym espyed me thinketh, yond is hee, Hough Mathew Merygreeke my friend, a worde with thee.[349] _M. Mery._ I wyll not heare him, but make as I had haste, Farewell all my good friendes, the tyme away dothe waste, 10 And the tide they say, tarieth for no man. _R. Roister._ Thou must with thy good counsell helpe me if thou can. _M. Mery._ God keepe thee worshypfull Maister Roister Doister, And fare well the lustie Maister Roister Doister. _R. Royster._ I muste needes speake with thee a worde or twaine. 15 _M. Mery._ Within a month or two I will be here againe, Negligence in greate affaires ye knowe may marre all. _R. Roister._ Attende upon me now, and well rewarde thee I shall. _M. Mery._ I have take my leave, and the tide is well spent.