Then ne'er reply, nor yet deny,

I will not be denied,

I would not have the world report

I twice did woo a maid.

NAN.

But twice and thrice, and twenty times, You'll woo before you win,

To match with ignorance 'mongst maids
Is held a sottish sin,

Therefore, I'll match, if ere I match,
One equal to my spirit,
And such a one, or else no one,

Shall my best love inherit.

A man of wit best doth fit

A maiden for to take,

Then such a man, if that I can,
My husband I will make.

WILL.

Why, Nan, I hope thou do'st not take

Thy Will to be a fool,

Thou know'st my father, for thy sake,

Three years kept me at school, And if that thou hast spirit enough,

To yield to be my joy,

I warrant I have spirit enough

To get a chopping boy,

Then ne'er deny, yield and try,
Or try before you trust,

Let who will seek for to enjoy,
For Will both will and must.

SECOND PART.

Why I have those that seek my love,
That are too stout to yield,
And rather than they'd lose my love,
They'd win me in the field.

Their skill in martial exercise

So much doth thine surpass, That should they hear thee sue for love,

They'd count thee but an ass.

Then be mute, thy foolish suit

Is all but spent in vain,

'Tis an impossibility

Thou should'st my love obtain.

WILL.

Dost hear me, Nan, what ere he be,
Doth challenge love of thee,
I'll make him like to Cupid blind,

He shall have no eyes to see.

I think I have a little skill,

My arms be strong and tough,
And I will warrant they shall serve
To baste him well enough.

If he but starts to touch thy skirts,
Or in the least offends,

By all the hopes I have of love,
I'll cut off his fingers ends.

NAN.

How should I grant to fancy thee,
Whom others do disdain,

If thou shouldst chance to marry me,
How would'st thou me maintain :
Thou know'st not how to use a wife,
Thou art so homely bred:
And soon I doubt to jealousy,
Thy fancy might be led.
Many fears urge my ears,
That I should careful be,

I fear I match a crabbed piece,
If I should marry thee.

WILL.

Nan, I am plain, and cannot cog,
Nor promise wondrous fair :
When all my promises shall prove,
Like castles built with air.

My true performance shall be all,
My word shall be my deed,

And, honest Nan, if I have thee,
You shall have all you need.
Clap hands, be bold, say and hold,
Let us make quick dispatch,

If thou love me as I love thee,

We'll straight make up the match.

NAN.

Then, Will, here is both hand and heart, I'll love thee till I die,

The world may judge I match for love,

And not all for the eye,

I had rather match a lusty youth,
Whose strength is not at full,

Then match a small weak timber'd man,

Whose strength had had a pull,

Maidens all, both great and small,

That hope to marry at length,

Do not marry for bravery,

But unto strength add strength.

LXXVII.

"THERE'S NOTHING TO BE HAD WITHOUT MONEY."

Y

[From a black letter copy by H. Gosson.]

ou gallants and you swaggering blades,
Give ear unto my ditty,

I am a boon companion known

In country, town, or city,

I always lov'd to wear good clothes,
And ever scorned to take blows,

I am belov'd of all me know,
But God a mercy penny.

My father was a man well known,
That us'd to hoard up money,
His bags of gold, he said, to him
More sweeter were than honey,

But I, his son, will let it fly

In tavern or in ordinary,
I am beloved in company,
But God a mercy penny.