_Grime._ [_aside_]. A pretty wench, of smiling countenance! Old men can like, although they cannot love; Ay, and love, though not so brief as young men can.-- Well, go in, my wench, and speak with my daughter. [_Exit_ WILY _into the house._ I wonder much at the Earl of Kendal, Being a mighty man, as still he is, Yet for to be a traitor to his king, Is more than God or man will well allow. But what a fool am I to talk of him! My mind is more here of the pretty lass. Had she brought some forty pounds to town, I could be content to make her my wife: Yet I have heard it in a proverb said, He that is old and marries with a lass, Lies but at home, and proves himself an ass. _Enter, from the house_, BETTRIS _in_ WILY'S _apparel._ How now, my wench! how is't? what, not a word?-- Alas, poor soul, the toothache plagues her sore.-- Well, my wench, Here is an angel for to buy thee pins, [_Gives money._ And I pray thee use mine house; The oftener, the more welcome: farewell. [_Exit._ _Bet._ O blessèd love, and blessèd fortune both! But, Bettris, stand not here to talk of love, But hie thee straight unto thy George-a-Greene: Never went roebuck swifter on the downs Than I will trip it till I see my George. [_Exit._ SCENE II.--_A Wood near Wakefield._ _Enter the_ EARL OF KENDAL, LORD BONFIELD, SIR GILBERT ARMSTRONG, _and_ JENKIN. _Ken._ Come away, Jenkin. _Jen._ Come, here is his house. [_Knocks at the door._]--Where be you, ho? _Geo._ [_within_]. Who knocks there? _Ken._ Here are two or three poor men, father, would speak with you. _Geo._ [_within_]. Pray, give your man leave to lead me forth. _Ken._ Go, Jenkin, fetch him forth. [JENKIN _leads forth_ GEORGE-A-GREENE _disguised_. _Jen._ Come, old man. _Ken._ Father, here are three poor men come to question thee A word in secret that concerns their lives. _Geo._ Say on, my sons. _Ken._ Father, I am sure you hear the news, how that The Earl of Kendal wars against the king. Now, father, we three are gentlemen by birth, But younger brethren that want revenues, And for the hope we have to be preferr'd, If that we knew that we shall win, We will march with him: if not, We will not march a foot to London more. Therefore, good father, tell us what shall happen, Whether the king or the Earl of Kendal shall win. _Geo._ The king, my son. _Ken._ Art thou sure of that? _Geo._ Ay, as sure as thou art Henry Momford, The one Lord Bonfield, the other Sir Gilbert [Armstrong]. _Ken._ Why, this is wondrous, being blind of sight, His deep perceiverance should be such to know us. _Arm._ Magic is mighty and foretelleth great matters.-- Indeed, father, here is the earl come to see thee, And therefore, good father, fable not with him.