To them] John, Maudlin, and Scathlock after.
Joh. Here's Mother Maudlin come to give you thanks,
Madam, for some late gift, she hath receiv'd--
Which she's not worthy of, she says, but cracks,
And wonders of it; hops about the House;
Transported with the Joy. [She danceth.
Maud. 'twas such a bounty
And honour done to your poor beads-woman,
I know not how to ower it, but to thank you.
And that I come to do: I shall go round,
And giddy with the toy of the good turn.
[ She turns round till she falls.
Look out, look out, gay Folk about,
And see me spin the ring I am in
Of mirth, and glee, with thanks for Fee
The heart puts on, for th' Venison
My Lady sent, which shall be spent
In draughts of Wine, to fume up fine
Into the Brain, and down again
Fall in a swoon, upo' the Grown.
Rob. Look to her, she is mad.
Maud. My son hath sent you
A Pot of Strawberries, gather'd i' the Wood
(His Hogs would else have rooted up, or trod)
With a choice dish of Wildings here, to scald
And mingle with your Cream.
Mar. Thank you good Maudlin,
And thank you Son. Go, bear'em in to Much
Th' Acater, let him thank her. Surely, Mother,
You were mistaken, or my Woodmen more,
Or most my self, to send you all our store
Of Venison, hunted for our selves, this day!
You will not take it, Mother, I dare say,
If we'll intreat you; when you know our guests:
Red Deer is Head still of the Forest Feasts.
Maud. But I knaw ye, a right free-hearted Lady,
Can spare it out of superfluity:
I have departit it 'mong my poor Neighbours
To speak your Largess. Mar. I not gave it, Mother;
You have done wrong then: I know how to place
My gifts, and where; and when to find my seasons
To give, not throw away my Curtesies.
Maud. Count you this thrown away?
Mar. What's ravish'd from me
I count it wurse, as Stoll'n: I lose my thanks.
But leave this quest: they fit not you, nor me,
Maudlin, Contentions of this quality.
How now? [Scathlock enters.
Sca. Your Stag's return'd upon my Shoulders,
He has found his way into the Kitchin again;
With his two Legs, if now your Cook can dress him;
'Slid, I thought the Swine'erd would ha' beat me,
He looks so big! the sturdy Karl, lewd Lorel!
Mar. There Scathlock, for thy pains, thou hast deserv'd it.
[Marian gives him Gold.
Maud. Do you give a thing, and take a thing, Madam?
Mar. No, Maudlin, you had imparted to your Neighbours;
As much good do't them: I ha' done no wrong.
The first Charm.
Maud.The Spit Stand still, no Broches turn
Before the Fire, but let it burn
Both Sides, and Hanches, till the whole
Converted be into one Cole.
Cla. What Devil's Pater Noster mumbles she?
Alk. Stay, you will hear more of her witchery.
II.
Maud.The Swilland Dropsie enter in
The lazy Cuke, and swell his Skin;
And the old Mort-mal on his Shin
Now prick, and itch, withouten blin.
Cla. Speak out Hag, we may hear your Devils Mattens.
III.
Maud. The Paene, we call St. Anton's fire,
The Gout, or what we can desire,
To cramp a Cuke, in every Limb,
Before they dine, yet, seize on him.
Alk. A foul ill Spirit hath possessed her.
Am. O Karol, Karol, call him back again.
Lio. Her thoughts do work upon her, in her slumber.
And may express some part of her disease.
Rob. Observe, and mark, but trouble not her ease.
Am. O, O. Mar. How is't Amie?
Mel. Wherefore start you?
Am. O' Karol, he is fair, and sweet.
Maud. What then?
Are there not Flowers as sweet, and fair, as Men?
The Lily is fair! and Rose is sweet! Am. I, so!
Let all Roses, and the Lilies go:
Karol is only fair to me! Mar. And why?
Am. Alas for Karol, Marian, I could die.
Karol, he sigeth sweetly too! Maud. Then why? then why, alone,
Should his Notes please you? Am. I not long agone
Took a delight, with wanton Kids to play,
And sport with little Lambs a Summers Day!
And view their frisks! methought it was a sight
Of joy, to see my two brave Rams to fight!
Now Karol, only, all delight doth move!
All that is Karol, Karol I approve!
This very Morning, but-- I did bestow
(It was a little 'gainst my will, I know)
A single kiss upon the silly Swain,
And now I wish that very kiss again.
His Lip is softer, sweeter than the Rose;
His Mouth and Tongue with dropping Honey flows.
The relish of it was a pleasing thing.
Maud. Yet like the Bees it had a little sting.
Am. And sunk, and sticks yet in my Marrow deep;
And what doth hurt me, I now wish to keep.
Mar. Alas, how innocent her Story is!
Am. I do remember, Marian, I have oft
With Pleasure kist my Lambs, and Puppies, soft:
And once a dainty fine Roe-fawn I had,
Of whose out-skipping Bounds, I was as glad
As of my Health: and him I oft would kiss:
Yet had his, no such sting, or pain, as this.
They never prick't or hurt my Heart. And, for
They were so blunt, and dull, I wish no more.
But this, that hurts, and pricks doth please; This sweet,
Mingled with sowre, I wish again to meet:
And that delay, methinks, most tedious is
That keeps, or hinders me of Karol's kiss.
Mar. We'll send for him sweet Amie<,/i> to come to you.
Maud. But, I will keep him off it Charms will do it.
[She goes murmuring out.
Cla. Do you mark the murmuring Hag, how she doth mutter?
Rob. I like her not. And less her manners now.
Alk. She is shrewd deformed piece, I vow.
Lio. As crooked as her Body. Rob. I believe
She can take any Shape; as Scathlock says.
Alk. She may deceive the Sense, but really
She cannot change her self
Rob. Would I could see her,
Once more in Marian's form! for I am certain
Now, it was she abus'd us; as I think
My Marian, and my Love, now, innocnt:
Which faith I seal unto her, with this kiss,
And call you all to witness of my Penance.
Alk. It was believ'd before, but now confirm'd,
That we have seen the Monster.