¶'Tis but the
shadow of a wife you
see,
3045The name, and not the thing.
¶Ros Both, both, O pardon.
¶Hel Oh my good Lord, when I was like this Maid,
¶I found you wondrous kinde, there is your Ring,
¶And looke you, heeres your letter: this it
sayes,
3050When from my finger you can get this Ring,
¶And is by me with childe, &c. This is done,
¶Will you be mine now you are doubly wonne?
¶Ros If
she my Liege can make me know this clearly,
¶Ile loue her dearely, euer, euer dearly.
3055Hel If it appeare not plaine, and proue vntrue,
¶Deadly diuorce
step betweene me and you.
¶O my deere mother do I
see you liuing?
¶Laf Mine eyes
smell Onions, I
shall weepe anon:
¶Good Tom Drumme lend me a handkercher.
3060So I thanke thee, waite on me home, Ile make
sport with
¶thee: Let thy curt
sies alone, they are
scuruy ones.
¶King Let vs from point to point this
storie know,
¶To make the euen truth in plea
sure flow:
¶If thou bee
st yet a fre
sh vncropped flower,
3065Choo
se thou thy hu
sband, and Ile pay thy dower.
¶For I can gue
sse, that by thy hone
st ayde,
¶Thou kept
st a wife her
selfe, thy
selfe a Maide.
¶Of that and all the progre
sse more and le
sse,
¶Re
soluedly more lea
sure
shall expre
sse:
3070All yet
seemes well, and if it end
so meete,
¶The bitter pa
st, more welcome is the
sweet.
¶THe Kings a Begger, now the Play is done
¶All is well ended, if this suite be wonne
3075That you expresse Content: which we will pay
¶With strife to please you, day exceeding day
¶Ours be your patience then, and yours our parts
¶Your gentle hands lend vs, and take our hearts
