Actus v, Scæna ij

[C. Custance. Gawyn Goodlucke. Sym Suresby.]
C. CUSTANCE.
I come forth to see and hearken for newes good,
For about this houre is the tyme of likelyhood,
That Gawyn Goodlucke by the sayings of Suresby,
Would be at home, and lo yond I see hym I.
What Gawyn Goodlucke, the onely hope of my life,
Welcome home, and kysse me your true espoused wife.

GA. GOOD.
Nay soft dame Custance, I must first by your licence,
See whether all things be cleere in your conscience,
I heare of your doings to me very straunge.

C. CUSTANCE.
What feare ye? that my faith towardes you should chaunge?

GA. GOOD.
I must needes mistrust ye be elsewhere entangled.
For I heare that certaine men with you haue wrangled
About the promise of mariage by you to them made.

C. CUSTANCE.
Coulde any mans reporte your minde therein persuade?

GA. GOOD.
Well, ye must therin declare your selfe to stande cleere,
Else I and you dame Custance may not ioyne this yere.

C. CUSTANCE.
Then woulde I were dead, and faire layd in my graue,
Ah Suresby, is this the honestie that ye haue?
To hurt me with your report, not knowyng the thing.

SIM SURE.
If ye be honest my wordes can hurte you nothing.
But what I hearde and sawe, I might not but report.

C. CUSTANCE.
Ah Lorde, helpe poore widowes, destitute of comfort.
Truly most deare spouse, nought was done but for pastance.

G. GOOD.
But such kynde of sporting is homely daliance.

C. CUSTANCE.
If ye knewe the truthe, ye would take all in good parte.

GA. GOOD.
By your leaue I am not halfe well skilled in that arte.

C. CUSTANCE.
It was none but Roister Doister that foolishe mome.

GA. GOOD.
Yea Custance, better (they say) a badde scuse than none.

C. CUSTANCE.
Why Tristram Trustie sir, your true and faithfull frende,
Was priuie bothe to the beginning and the ende.
Let him be the Iudge, and for me testifie.

GA. GOOD.
I will the more credite that he shall verifie,
And bicause I will the truthe know een as it is,
I will to him my selfe, and know all without misse.
Come on Sym Suresby, that before my friend thou may
Auouch the same wordes, which thou dydst to me say. [Exeant.]