What Creature is in health, eyther yong or olde, But som mirth with modestie wil be glad to vse As we in thys Enterlude shall now vnfolde, Wherin all scurilitie we vtterly refuse, Auoiding such mirth wherin is abuse: Knowing nothing more comendable for a mans recreation Than Mirth which is vsed in an honest fashion: For Myrth prolongeth lyfe, and causeth health. Mirth recreates our spirites and voydeth pensiuenesse, Mirth increaseth amitie, not hindring our wealth, Mirth is to be vsed both of more and lesse, Being mixed with vertue in decent comlynesse. As we trust no good nature can gainsay the same: Which mirth we intende to vse, auoidyng all blame. The wyse Poets long time heretofore, Vnder merrie Comedies secretes did declare, Wherein was contained very vertuous lore, With mysteries and forewarnings very rare. Suche to write neither _Plautus_ nor _Terence_ dyd spare, Whiche among the learned at this day beares the bell: These with such other therein dyd excell. Our Comedie or Enterlude which we intende to play. Is named Royster Doyster in deede. Which against the vayne glorious doth inuey, Whose humour the roysting sort continually doth feede. Thus by your pacience we intende to proceede In this our Enterlude by Gods leaue and grace, And here I take my leaue for a certaine space. FINIS. _Roister Doister._ Actus. j. Scæna. j. +Mathewe Merygreeke.+ _He entreth singing._ As long lyueth the mery man (they say) As doth the sory man, and longer by a day. Yet the Grassehopper for all his Sommer pipyng, Sterueth in Winter wyth hungrie gripyng, Therefore an other sayd sawe doth men aduise, That they be together both mery and wise. Thys Lesson must I practise, or else ere long, Wyth mee Mathew Merygreeke it will be wrong. In deede men so call me, for by him that vs bought, What euer chaunce betide, I can take no thought, Yet wisedome woulde that I did my selfe bethinke Where to be prouided this day of meate and drinke: For know ye, that for all this merie note of mine, He might appose me now that should aske where I dine. My lyuing lieth heere and there, of Gods grace, Sometime wyth this good man, sometyme in that place, Sometime Lewis Loytrer biddeth me come neere, Somewhyles Watkin Waster maketh vs good cheere, Sometime Dauy Diceplayer when he hath well cast Keepeth reuell route as long as it will last. Sometime Tom Titiuile maketh vs a feast, Sometime with sir Hugh Pye I am a bidden gueast, Sometime at Nichol Neuerthriues I get a soppe, Sometime I am feasted with Bryan Blinkinsoppe, Sometime I hang on Hankin Hoddydodies sleeue, But thys day on Ralph Royster Doysters by hys leeue. For truely of all men he is my chiefe banker Both for meate and money, and my chiefe shootanker. For, sooth Roister Doister in that he doth say, And require what ye will ye shall haue no nay. But now of Roister Doister somewhat to expresse,