Not out of envy, for there's no effect Where there's no cause; nor out of imitation, For we have evermore been imitated;[1] Nor out of our contention to do better Than that[2] which is opposed to ours in title, For that was good; and better cannot be: And for the title, if it seem affected, We might as well have call'd it, "God[3] you good even:" Only that eastward westwards still exceeds, Honour the sun's fair rising, not his setting. 10 Nor is our title utterly enforced, As by the points we touch at you shall see. Bear with our willing pains, if dull or witty, We only dedicate it to the City. [1] This tone of arrogant assumption is very characteristic of Ben Jonson, who probably contributed the prologue. Cf. Prologue to _Cynthia's Revels_:-- "In this alone his Muse her sweetness hath; She shuns the print of any beaten path, And proves new ways to come to learned ears," &c. [2] The comedy of _Westward Ho_, by Webster and Dekker; it was not published until 1607.--_Eastward Ho_ and _Westward Ho_ were the cries of the watermen who plied on the Thames. [3] A shortened form of "God give you good even." _DRAMATIS PERSONÆ_.[4] TOUCHSTONE, _a goldsmith_. QUICKSILVER,} GOLDING, } _apprentices to_ TOUCHSTONE. Sir PETRONEL FLASH, _a shifty knight_. SECURITY, _an old usurer_. BRAMBLE, _a lawyer_. SEAGULL, _a sea-captain_. SCAPETHRIFT,} SPENDALL } _adventurers bound for Virginia_. SLITGUT, _a butcher's apprentice_. POLDAVY, _a tailor_. HOLDFAST,} WOLF } _officers of the Counter_. HAMLET, _a footman_. POTKIN, _a tankard-bearer_. Drawer. Mistress TOUCHSTONE. GERTRUDE,} MILDRED } _her daughters_. WINIFRED, _wife to_ SECURITY. SINDEFY, _mistress to_ QUICKSILVER. BETTRICE, _a waiting-woman_. Mrs. FORD, Mrs. GAZER, Coachman, Page, Constables, Prisoners, &c. SCENE--LONDON AND THAMES-SIDE. [4] Not marked in old ed. EASTWARD HO. ACT I. SCENE I. _Goldsmiths' Row._ _Enter_ Master TOUCHSTONE _and_ QUICKSILVER _at several doors_; QUICKSILVER _with his hat, pumps, short sword and dagger, and a racket trussed up under his cloak. At the middle door, enter_ GOLDING, _discovering a goldsmith's shop, and walking short turns before it_. _To._ And whither with you now? what loose action are you bound for? Come, what comrades are you to meet withal? where's the supper? where's the rendezvous? _Qu._ Indeed, and in very good sober truth, sir----