Volume Vii Part 73 (1/2)

Frank, if thou seek'st that way, there thou shalt find Her, whom I hold the comfort of thy mind.

MAL. He shall not seek me; I will seek him out, Since of my mother's grant I need not doubt.

MR[S] BAR. Thy mother grants, my girl, and she doth pray To send unto you both a joyful day!

HOD. Nay, Mistress Barnes, I wish her better: that those joyful days may be turn'd to joyful nights.

COOMES. Faith, 'tis a pretty wench, and 'tis pity but she should have him.

NICH. And, Mistress Mary, when ye go to bed, G.o.d send you good rest, and a peck of fleas in your nest, every one as big as Francis!

PHIL. Well said, wisdom! G.o.d send thee wise children!

NICH. And you more money.

PHIL. Ay, so wish I.

NICH. 'Twill be a good while, ere you wish your skin full of eyelet-holes.

PHIL. Frank, hark ye: brother, now your wooing's done, The next thing now you do is for a son, I prythee; for, i'faith, I should be glad To have myself called nunkle[444], and thou dad.

Well, sister, if that Francis play the man, My mother must be grandam and you mam.

To it, Francis--to it, sister!--G.o.d send ye joy!

'Tis fine to sing, dancey, my own sweet boy!

FRAN. Well, sir, jest on.

PHIL. Nay, sir[445], do you jest on.

MR BAR. Well, may she prove a happy wife to him!

MR GOUR. And may he prove as happy unto her!

SIR RALPH. Well, gentlemen, good hap betide them both!

Since 'twas my hap thus happily to meet, To be a witness of this sweet contract, I do rejoice; wherefore, to have this joy Longer present with me, I do request That all of you will be my promis'd guests: This long night's labour doth desire some rest, Besides this wished end; therefore, I pray, Let me detain ye but a dinner time: Tell me, I pray, shall I obtain so much?

MR BAR. Gentle Sir Ralph, your courtesy is such, As may impose command unto us all; We will be thankful bold at your request.

PHIL. I pray, Sir Ralph, what cheer shall we have?

SIR RALPH. I'faith, country fare, mutton and veal, Perchance a duck or goose [upon the platter.]

MAL. O, I am sick!

ALL. How now, Mall? what's the matter?

MAL. Father and mother, if you needs would know, He nam'd a goose, which is my stomach's foe.

PHIL. Come, come, she is with child of some odd jest, And now she's sick, till that she bring[446] it forth.

MAL. A jest, quoth you! well, brother, if it be, I fear 'twill prove an earnest unto me.

Goose, said ye, sir? O, that same very name Hath in it much variety of shame!