Aut. Here's the Midwiues name to't: one Mist. Tale-Porter, and fiue or six honest Wiues, that were present. Why should I carry lyes abroad? Mop. 'Pray you now buy it
Clo. Come-on, lay it by: and let's first see moe Ballads: Wee'l buy the other things anon
Aut. Here's another ballad of a Fish, that appeared vpon the coast, on wensday the fourescore of April, fortie thousand fadom aboue water, & sung this ballad against the hard hearts of maids: it was thought she was a Woman, and was turn'd into a cold fish, for she wold not exchange flesh with one that lou'd her: The Ballad is very pittifull, and as true
Dor. Is it true too, thinke you
Autol. Fiue Iustices hands at it, and witnesses more then my packe will hold
Clo. Lay it by too; another
Aut. This is a merry ballad, but a very pretty one
Mop. Let's haue some merry ones
Aut. Why this is a passing merry one, and goes to the tune of two maids wooing a man: there's scarse a Maide westward but she sings it: 'tis in request, I can tell you
Mop. We can both sing it: if thou'lt beare a part, thou shalt heare, 'tis in three parts
Dor. We had the tune on't, a month agoe
Aut. I can beare my part, you must know 'tis my occupation: Haue at it with you:
Song
Get you hence, for I must goe Aut. Where it fits not you to know
Dor. Whether? Mop. O whether? Dor. Whether? Mop. It becomes thy oath full well, Thou to me thy secrets tell
Dor: Me too: Let me go thether: Mop: Or thou goest to th' Grange, or Mill, Dor: If to either thou dost ill, Aut: Neither
Dor: What neither? Aut: Neither: Dor: Thou hast sworne my Loue to be, Mop: Thou hast sworne it more to mee. Then whether goest? Say whether? Clo. Wee'l haue this song out anon by our selues: My Father, and the Gent. are in sad talke, & wee'll not trouble them: Come bring away thy pack after me, Wenches Ile buy for you both: Pedler let's haue the first choice; folow me girles
Aut. And you shall pay well for 'em.
Song.
Will you buy any Tape, or Lace for your Cape? My dainty Ducke, my deere-a? Any Silke, any Thred, any Toyes for your head Of the news't, and fins't, fins't weare-a. Come to the Pedler, Money's a medler, That doth vtter all mens ware-a.
Exit
Seruant. Mayster, there is three Carters, three Shepherds, three Neat-herds, three Swine-herds y haue made themselues all men of haire, they cal themselues Saltiers, and they haue a Dance, which the Wenches say is a gally-maufrey of Gambols, because they are not in't: but they themselues are o'th' minde (if it bee not too rough for some, that know little but bowling) it will please plentifully
Shep. Away: Wee'l none on't; heere has beene too much homely foolery already. I know (Sir) wee wearie you
Pol. You wearie those that refresh vs: pray let's see these foure-threes of Heardsmen
Ser. One three of them, by their owne report (Sir,) hath danc'd before the King: and not the worst of the three, but iumpes twelue foote and a halfe by th' squire
Shep. Leaue your prating, since these good men are pleas'd, let them come in: but quickly now
Ser. Why, they stay at doore Sir.
Heere a Dance of twelue Satyres.
The Winter's Tale · The Wunder Library — complete classics, free to read, with narration.