By this, our father understands our mind

21.21810And our kind greetings sent to him of late;

21.31811Therefore, my mind presageth ere't be long,

21.41812We shall receive from Britain happy news.

I fear my sister will dissuade his mind,

21.61814For she to me hath always been unkind.

Fear not, my love, since that we know the worst,

21.81816The last means helps if that we miss the first.

21.91817If he'll not come to Gallia unto us,

21.101818Then we will sail to Britain unto him.

Well, if I once see Britain again, 1820I have sworn I'll ne'er come home without my wench, 1821and I'll not be forsworn; 1822I'll rather never come home while I live.

Are you sure, Mumford, she is a maid still?

Nay, I'll not swear she is a maid, but she goes for one. 1825I'll take her at all adventures, if I can get her.

Ay, that's well put in.

Well put in? Nay, it was ill put in, for had it 1828been as well put in as e'er I put in in my days, 1829I would have made her follow me to France.

Nay, you'd have been so kind as take her with you, 1831or else, were I as she, 1832I would have been so loving as I'd stay behind you. 1833Yet I must confess, you are a very proper man, 1834and able to make a wench do more than she would do.

Well, I have a pair of slops for the nonce 1836will hold all your mocks.

Nay, we see you have a handsome hose.

Ay, and of the newest fashion.

More bobs, more; put them in still! 1840They'll serve instead of bombast; yet put not in too many, 1841lest the seams crack and they fly out amongst you again. 1842You must not think to outface me so easily in my mistress' quarrel, 1843who if I see once again, ten team of horses shall 1844not draw me away till I have full and whole possession.

Ay, but one team and a cart will serve the turn.

Not only for him, but also for his wench.

Well, you are two to one; I'll give you over; 1848and since I see you so pleasantly disposed, 1849which indeed is but seldom seen, I'll claim 1850a promise of you which you shall not deny me, 1851for promise is debt, and by this hand you promised it me, 1852therefore you owe it me, and you shall pay it me, 1853or I'll sue you upon an action of unkindness.

Prithee, Lord Mumford, what promise did I make thee?

Faith, nothing but this: 1856that the next fair weather, which is very now, 1857you would go in progress down to the seaside, 1858which is very near.

Faith, in this motion I will join with thee,

21.271860And be a mediator to my queen. --

21.281861Prithee, my love, let this match go forward;

21.291862My mind foretells 'twill be a lucky voyage.

Entreaty needs not where you may command;

21.311864So you be pleased, I am right well content.

21.321865Yet as the sea I much desire to see,

21.331866So am I most unwilling to be seen.

We'll go disguised, all unknown to any.

Howsoever you make one, I'll make another.

And I the third. Oh, I am overjoyed!

21.371870See what love is, which getteth with a word

21.381871What all the world besides could ne'er obtain!

21.391872But what disguises shall we have, my lord?

Faith, thus: my queen and I will be disguised

21.411874Like a plain country couple, and you shall be Roger,

21.421875Our man, and wait upon us. Or, if you will,

21.431876You shall go first, and we will wait on you.

'Twere more than time; this device is excellent.

21.451878Come let us about it.