_R. Royster._ The selfe same that I wrote out of, so mote I go. _Scrivener._ Loke you on your owne fist,[531] and I will looke on this. And let this man be judge whether I reade amisse. To myne owne dere coney birde, sweete heart, and pigsny,[532] 45 Good mistresse Custance, present these by and by. How now? doth not this superscription agree? _R. Royster._ Reade that is within, and there ye shall the fault see. _Scrivener._ Sweete mistresse, where as I love you, nothing at all Regarding your richesse and substance: chiefe of all 50 For your personage, beautie, demeanour and witte I commende me unto you: Never a whitte Sory to heare reporte of your good welfare. F i _b_ For (as I heare say) suche your conditions are, That ye be worthie favour: of no living man 55 To be abhorred: of every honest man To be taken for a woman enclined to vice Nothing at all: to vertue giving hir due price. Wherefore concerning mariage, ye are thought Suche a fine Paragon, as nere honest man bought. 60 And nowe by these presents I doe you advertise, That I am minded to marrie you: In no wyse For your goodes and substance: I can be content To take you as you are: yf ye will be my wife, Ye shall be assured for the time of my life, 65 I wyll keepe you right well: from good raiment and fare, Ye shall not be kept: but in sorowe and care Ye shall in no wyse lyve: at your owne libertie, Doe and say what ye lust: ye shall never please me But when ye are merrie: I will bee all sadde 70 When ye are sorie: I wyll be very gladde When ye seeke your heartes ease: I will be unkinde At no time: in me shall ye muche gentlenesse finde. But all things contrary to your will and minde Shall be done otherwise: I wyll not be behynde 75 To speake: And as for all they that woulde do you wrong, (I wyll so helpe and maintayne ye) shall not lyve long. Nor any foolishe dolte shall cumber you, but I, I, who ere say nay, wyll sticke by you tyll I die. Thus good mistresse Custance, the lorde you save and kepe. 80 From me Roister Doister, whether I wake or slepe, Who favoureth you no lesse, (ye may be bolde) Than this letter purporteth, which ye have unfolde. Now sir, what default can ye finde in this letter? _R. Royster._ Of truth in my mynde there can not be a better. 85 _Scrivener._ Then was the fault in readyng, and not in writyng, No nor I dare say in the fourme of endityng, F ii But who read this letter, that it sounded so nought? _M. Mery._ I redde it in deede. _Scrivener._ Ye red it not as ye ought.