AN. ALYFACE. By Cock,[70] and well sewed, my good Tibet Talkapace.
TIB. TALK. And e'en as well knit, my nown Annot Alyface.
R. ROISTER (_aside_). See what a sort she keepeth, that must be my wife: Shall not I, when I have her, lead a merry life?
TIB. TALK. Welcome, my good wench, and sit here by me just.
AN. ALYFACE. And how doth our old beldame here, Madge Mumblecrust?
TIB. TALK. Chide and find fault, and threaten to complain.
AN. ALYFACE. To make us poor girls shent[71] to her is small gain.
M. MUMBL. I did neither chide, nor complain, nor threaten.
R. ROISTER (_aside_). It would grieve my heart to see one of them beaten.
M. MUMBL. I did nothing but bid her work, and hold her peace.
TIB. TALK. So would I, if you could your clattering cease; But the devil cannot make old trot hold her tongue.
AN. ALYFACE. Let all these matters pass, and we three sing a song: So shall we pleasantly both the time beguile now, And eke despatch all our works, ere we can tell how.
TIB. TALK. I shrew them that say nay, and that shall not be I.
R. ROISTER (_aside_). And I will not away, but listen to their song; Yet Merrygreek and my folks tarry very long.
_Pipe, merry Annot, &c._ _Trilla, Trilla, Trillary._ _Work, Tibet; work, Annot; work, Margery;_ _Sew, Tibet; knit, Annot; spin, Margery._ _Let us see who will win the victory._
TIB. TALK. This sleeve is not willing to be sewed, I trow. A small thing might make me all in the ground to throw.
_Pipe, merry Annot, &c._ _Trilla, Trilla, Trillary._ _What, Tibet! what, Annot! what, Margery!_ _Ye sleep, but we do not, that shall we try,_ _Your fingers be numbed, our work will not lie._
TIB. TALK. If ye do so again--well, I would advise you nay: In good sooth, one stop more, and I make holyday!
_Pipe, merry Annot, &c._ _Trilla, Trilla, Trillary._ _Now, Tibbet; now, Annot; now, Margery;_ _Now whippet apace for the maistry:_ _But it will not be, our mouth is so dry_.
TIB TALK. Ah, each finger is a thumb to-day, me-think: I care not to let all alone, choose it swim or sink.
_Pipe, merry Annot, &c._ _Trilla, Trilla, Trillary._ _When, Tibbet? when, Annot? when, Margery?_ _I will not,--I can not,--no more can I._ _Then give we all over, and there let it lie!_ [_Let her cast down her work._