C. CUSTANCE. Hence, both twain. And let me see you play me such a part again! [_Ex. Tib. and Annot._
TRUEPENNY (_re-entering_). Mistress, I have run past the far end of the street, Yet can I not yonder crafty boy see nor meet.
TRUEPENNY. Yet I looked as far beyond the people As one may see out of the top of Paul's steeple.
C. CUSTANCE. Hence, in at doors, and let me no more be vext!
TRUEPENNY. Forgive me this one fault, and lay on for the next.[102]
C. CUSTANCE. Now will I in too, for I think, so God me mend, This will prove some foolish matter in the end. [_Exeat._
[87] The idea is borrowed from Alexander's celebrated reply to Parmenio.--_Cooper._
[88] A night has passed between the first and second acts.--_Cooper._
"What have ye of the Lord Dakers? He maketh vs _Jacke Rakers_; He says we are but crakers."
See also the same author's "Speke Parrot."--_Cooper._
[93] _Passe-temps_, pastime, sport. So in act iv., sc. vi.--
"Do ye think, Dame Custance, That in this wooing I have meant ought but _pastance_?"
"Truly, most dear spouse, nought was done but for _pastance_."
[95] [In the original, D. Doughty is made to go out.]
[96] [Perhaps a sort of allusion to the proverb, To go to Rome with a mortar on one's head.]
[97] A Lombard's touchstone, to try gold and silver. See "Richard III.," act iv., sc. 2.--_Cooper._
[98] A proverbial expression, relating to a still common practice.--_Cooper._
[99] Tib and Annot would seem to enter here.--_Cooper._
[100] A fit usually means the division of a ballad, but here it is to be understood as a song.--_Cooper._
[101] _i.e._, _Abide_ the consequences, rue, or suffer for. See "A Midsummer Night's Dream," act iii., sc. 2.--_Cooper._
M. MERRY. Now say this again: he hath somewhat to doing Which followeth the trace of one that is wooing; Specially that hath no more wit in his head, Than my cousin Roister Doister withal is led. I am sent in all haste to espy and to mark, How our letters and tokens are likely to wark.
Master Roister Doister must have answer in haste, For he loveth not to spend much labour in waste. Now as for Christian Custance, by this light, Though she had not her troth to Gawin Goodluck plight, Yet rather than with such a loutish dolt to marry, I daresay would live a poor life solitary. But fain would I speak with Custance, if I wist how, To laugh at the matter. Yond cometh one forth now.