Mich. [ within .] I can sing none, forsooth, but “A Lady’s
Daughter, of Paris properly,” [ Sings within .
It was a lady’s daughter, etc.
Merrythought opens the Door; enter Mistress
Merrythought and Michael.

Mer. Come, you’re welcome home again. [ Sings .
If such danger be in playing,
And jest must to earnest turn,
You shall go no more a-maying—

Vent. [ within .] Are you within, sir? Master Merrythought!

Jasp. It is my master’s voice: good sir, go hold him
In talk, whilst we convey ourselves into
Some inward room. [ Exit with Luce .

Mer. What are you? are you merry?
You must be very merry, if you enter.

Vent. [ within .] I am, sir.

Mer. Sing, then.

Vent. [ within .] Nay, good sir, open to me.

Mer. Sing, I say,
Or, by the merry heart, you come not in!

Vent. [ within .] Well, sir, I’ll sing. [ Sings .
Fortune, my foe, etc.
Merrythought opens the Door: Enter Venturewell.

Mer. You are welcome, sir, you are welcome: you see your
entertainment; pray you, be merry.

Vent. Oh, Master Merrythought, I’m come to ask you
Forgiveness for the wrongs I offered you,
And your most virtuous son! they’re infinite;
Yet my contrition shall be more than they:
I do confess my hardness broke his heart,
For which just Heaven hath given me punishment
More than my age can carry; his wandering spirit,
Nor yet at rest, pursues me everywhere,
Crying, “I’ll haunt thee for thy cruelty.”
My daughter, she is gone, I know not how,
Taken invisible, and whether living
Or in the grave, ’tis yet uncertain to me.
Oh, Master Merrythought, these are the weights
Will sink me to my grave! forgive me, sir.

Mer . Why, sir, I do forgive you; and be merry;
And if the wag in’s lifetime played the knave,
Can you forgive him too?

Vent . With all my heart, sir.

Mer . Speak it again, and heartily.

Vent . I do, sir;
Now, by my soul, I do.

Re-enter LUCE and JASPER .

Mer . [ Sings .]

Vent . I do, I do.

[ Cit . I do not like this. Peace, boys! Hear me, one of you:
everybody’s part is come to an end but Ralph’s, and
he’s left out.

Boy . ’Tis ’long of yourself, sir; we have nothing to do with
his part.