Rach.  Here it is brother, I pray you stay not long;
Guesse[7] will come in, ’tis almost supper time.
                                           [Ex.  Ra.

Mer.  Let others suppe, ile make a bloudier feast
Then ever yet was drest in Merryes house. 
Be like thy selfe then, have a merrie hart,
Thou shalt have gold to mend thy povertie,
And after this live ever wealthilie.

Then Merry must passe to Beeches shoppe,
who must sit in his shop, and Winchester
his boy stand by:  Beech reading.

What, neighbour Beech, so godly occupied?

Beech.  I, maister Merry; it were better reade, Then meditate on idle fantasies.

Mer.  You speake the trueth; there is a friend or two
Of yours making merry in my house,
And would desire to have your company.

Beech.  Know you their names?

Mer.  No truely, nor the men.  I never stoode to question them of that, But they desire your presence earnestlie.

Beech.  I pray you tell them that I cannot come,
Tis supper time, and many will resort
For ware at this time, above all other times;
Tis Friday night besides, and Bartholomew eve,
Therefore good neighbour make my just excuse.

Mer.  In trueth they told me that you should not stay, Goe but to drinke, you may come quick againe,—­ But not and if my hand and hammer hold. [(To the) people.

Beech.  I am unwilling, but I do not care, And if I go to see the Company.

Mer.  Come quickly then, they think we stay too long.

Beech.  Ile cut a peece of cheese to drink withall.

Mer.  I, take the farewell of your cutting knife, Here is a hand shall helpe to cut your throate, And give my selfe a fairing[8] from your chest.—­ What are you ready, will you goe along?

Beech.  I, now I am; boy, looke you tend the shoppe; If any aske, come for me to the Bull.  I wonder who they are that aske for me.

Mer.  I know not that, you shall see presentlie.  Goe up those staires, your friends do stay above.—­ Here is that friend shall shake you by the head, And make you stagger ere he speake to you.

Then being in the upper Rome Merry strickes
him in the head fifteene times.

Now you are safe, I would the boy were so;
But wherefore wish I, for he shall not live? 
For if he doe, I shall not live myselfe.

[Merry wiped [sic] his face from blood.

Lets see what mony he hath in his purse.  Masse heres ten groates, heres something for my pains.  But I must be rewarded better yet.

Enter Rachell and Harry Williams.

Wil.  Who was it, Rachell, that went up the staires?

Rach.  It was my brother, and a little man Of black complexion, but I know him not.