3 rd Man . I am an errant knight that followed arms
With spear and shield; and in my tender years
I stricken was with Cupid’s fiery shaft,
And fell in love with this my lady dear,
And stole her from her friends in Turnbull Street,
And bore her up and down from town to town,
Where we did eat and drink, and music hear;
Till at the length at this unhappy town
We did arrive, and coming to this cave,
This beast us caught, and put us in a tub,
Where we this two months sweat, and should have done
Another month, if you had not relieved us.

Woman . This bread and water hath our diet been,
Together with a rib cut from a neck
Of burned mutton; hard hath been our fare:
Release us from this ugly giant’s snare!

3 rd Man . This hath been all the food we have received;
But only twice a-day, for novelty,
He gave a spoonful of this hearty broth
To each of us, through this same slender quill.

[Pulls out a syringe .

Ralph . From this infernal monster you shall go,
That useth knights and gentle ladies so!—
Convey them hence.

[3 rd Man and Woman are led off by Tim and
George , who presently re-enter .

[Cit . Cony, I can tell thee, the gentlemen like Ralph.

Wife . Ay, George, I see it well enough.—Gentlemen, I thank you all heartily for gracing my man Ralph; and I promise you, you shall see him oftener.]

Bar . Mercy, great knight! I do recant my ill,
And henceforth never gentle blood will spill.

Ralph . I give thee mercy; but yet shalt thou swear,
Upon my Burning Pestle, to perform
Thy promise utterèd.

Bar . I swear and kiss.

[Kisses the Pestle .

Ralph . Depart, then and amend.—

[Exit Barber .

[Exeunt .

[Cit . Now Ralph is in this humour, I know he would ha’ beaten all the boys in the house, if they had been set on him.

Wife . Ay, George, but it is well as it is: I warrant you, the gentlemen do consider what it is to overthrow a giant.]

SCENE V.— The Street before Merrythought’s House .

Enter Mistress MERRYTHOUGHT and MICHAEL.

[Wife . But, look, George; here comes Mistress Merrythought, and her son Michael.—Now you are welcome, Mistress Merrythought; now Ralph has done, you may go on.]

Mist . Mer . Mick, my boy—