1439Ile sit me downe, and read vntill she come.

1441Per. Sheele not be long, I warrant you, my Lord:

1442But say, a couple of these they call good fellowes,

1443Should step out of a hedge, and set vpon vs,

1444We were in good case for to answere them.

1445Leir. 'Twere not for vs to stand vpon our hands.

1446Per.I feare, we scant should stand vpon our legs.

1447But how should we do to defend our selues?

1448Leir. Euen pray to God, to blesse vs frō their hands:

1449For feruent prayer much ill hap withstands.

1450Per. Ile sit and pray with you for company;

1451Yet was I ne're so heauy in my life.

1455Mess. Were it not a mad iest, if two or three of my professiō

1456should meet me, and lay me downe in a ditch, and play robbe

1457thiefe with me, & perforce take my gold away from me, whilest

1458I act this stratagem, and by this meanes the gray beards should

1459escape? Fayth, when I were at liberty againe, I would make no

1460more to do, but go to the next tree, and there hang my selfe.

1462But stay, me thinks, my youthes are here already,

1463And with pure zeale haue prayed themselues asleepe.

1464I thinke, they know to what intent they came,

1465And are prouided for another world.

1467Now could I stab them brauely, while they sleepe,

1468And in a maner put them to no payne;

1469And doing so, I shewed them mighty friendship:

1470For feare of death is worse then death it selfe.

1471But that my sweet Queene will'd me for to shew

1472This letter to them, ere I did the deed.

1473Masse, they begin to stirre: ile stand aside;

1474So shall I come vpon them vnawares.

1476Leir. I maruell, that my daughter stayes so long.

F Per. I