_C. Custance._ Nay come forth all three: and come hither pretie mayde:
Will not so many forewarnings make you afrayde?
_Tib. Talk._ Yes forsoth.
_C. Custance._ But stil be a runner up and downe
Still be a bringer of tidings and tokens to towne.
_Tib. Talk._ No forsoth mistresse. 5
_C. Custance._ Is all your delite and joy
In whiskyng and ramping[468] abroade like a Tom boy.
_Tib. Talk._ Forsoth these were there too, Annot and Trupenie.
_Trupenie._ Yea but ye alone tooke it, ye can not denie.
_Annot Aly._ Yea that ye did.
_Tibet._ But if I had not, ye twaine would.
_C. Custance._ You great calfe ye should have more witte, so ye
should: 10
But why shoulde any of you take such things in hande.
_Tibet._ Because it came from him that must be your husbande.
_C. Custance._ How do ye know that?
_Tibet._ Forsoth the boy did say so.
_C. Custance._ What was his name?
_An. Alyface._ We asked not.
_C. Custance._ No?[469]
_An. Aliface._ He is not farre gone of likelyhod. 15
_Trupeny._ I will see.
_C. Custance._ If thou canst finde him in the streete bring him to me.
_Trupenie._ Yes. _Exeat._
_C. Custance._ Well ye naughty girles, if ever I perceive
That henceforth you do letters or tokens receive,
To bring unto me from any person or place,
Except ye first shewe me the partie face to face, 20
Eyther thou or thou, full truly abye[470] thou shalt.
_Tibet._ Pardon this, and the next tyme pouder me in salt.
_C. Custance._ I shall make all girles by you twaine to beware.
_Tibet._ If ever I offende againe do not me spare.
But if ever I see that false boy any more 25
By your mistreshyps licence I tell you afore
I will rather have my cote twentie times swinged,
Than on the naughtie wag not to be avenged.
_C. Custance._ Good wenches would not so rampe abrode ydelly,
But keepe within doores, and plie their work earnestly, D ii 30
If one would speake with me that is a man likely,
Ye shall have right good thanke to bring me worde quickly.
But otherwyse with messages to come in post
From henceforth I promise you, shall be to your cost.
Get you in to your work. 35
_Tib. An._ Yes forsoth.
_C. Custance._ Hence both twaine.
And let me see you play me such a part againe.
[_Exeant_ TIB. _and_ AN.]
_Trupeny_ [_entering_]. Maistresse, I have runne past the farre ende
of the streete,
Yet can I not yonder craftie boy see nor meete.
_C. Custance._ No?
_Trupeny._ Yet I looked as farre beyonde the people.
As one may see out of the toppe of Paules steeple. 40
_C. Custance._ Hence in at doores, and let me no more be vext.
_Trupeny._ Forgeve me this one fault, and lay on for the next.
_C. Custance._ Now will I in too, for I thinke so God me mende,
This will prove some foolishe matter in the ende. _Exeat._
Actus. [i]ii. Scæna. i.