_M. Mery._ But I would not tell all, for faith if I had With you dame Custance ere this houre it had been bad, And not without cause: for this goodly personage, Ment no lesse than to joyne with you in mariage. 25 _C. Custance._ Let him wast no more labour nor sute about me. _M. Mery._ Ye know not where your preferment lieth I see, He sending you such a token, ring and letter. _C. Custance._ Mary here it is, ye never sawe a better. _M. Mery._ Let us see your letter. 30 _C. Custance._ Holde, reade it if ye can. And see what letter it is to winne a woman. _M. Mery_ [_takes the letter and reads_]. To mine owne deare coney birde, swete heart, and pigsny Good Mistresse Custance present these by and by, Of this superscription do ye blame the stile? _C. Custance._ With the rest as good stuffe as ye redde a great while. 35 _M. Mery._ Sweete mistresse where as I love you nothing at all,[515] Regarding your substance and richesse chiefe of all, For your personage, beautie, demeanour and wit, I commende me unto you never a whit. E iii Sorie to heare report of your good welfare. 40 For (as I heare say) suche your conditions are, That ye be worthie favour of no living man, To be abhorred of every honest man. To be taken for a woman enclined to vice. Nothing at all to Vertue gyving hir due price. 45 Wherfore concerning mariage, ye are thought Suche a fine Paragon, as nere honest man bought. And nowe by these presentes I do you advertise That I am minded to marrie you in no wise. For your goodes and substance, I coulde bee content 50 To take you as ye are. If ye mynde to bee my wyfe, Ye shall be assured for the tyme of my lyfe, I will keepe ye ryght well, from good rayment and fare, Ye shall not be kepte but in sorowe and care. Ye shall in no wyse lyve at your owne libertie, 55 Doe and say what ye lust, ye shall never please me, But when ye are mery, I will be all sadde, When ye are sory, I will be very gladde. When ye seeke your heartes ease, I will be unkinde, At no tyme, in me shall ye muche gentlenesse finde. 60 But all things contrary to your will and minde, Shall be done: otherwise I wyll not be behinde To speake. And as for all them that woulde do you wrong I will so helpe and mainteyne, ye[516] shall not lyve long. Nor any foolishe dolte, shall cumbre you but I.[517] 65 I, who ere say nay, wyll sticke by you tyll I die, Thus good mistresse Custance, the lorde you save and kepe, From me Roister Doister, whether I wake or slepe.