M. Mery, As long ly veth the mery man (they say) i

As doth the sory man, and longer by a day. Yet the Grassehopper for all his sommer pipyng Sterveth in winter with hungry gripyng, Therefore another sayd sawe doth men advise They they be together both mery and wise.
And here a point of practical wisdom occurs to him :
Yet wisdom woulde that I did myselfe bethinke Where^to be provided this day of meat and drinke :
^ Compare Autolycus's song in Winter'* s Tale:
Jog on, jog on, the foot-path way, And merrily hent the itile-a ; Your merry heart goes all the day, Your sad drei in a mile-a. .
154 SHAKSPERE AND HIS FORERUNNERS
For know ye, that for all this merie note of mine. He might appose me now that should aske where I dine My lyving lieth heere and there, of God's grace. Some time with this good man, sometyme in that place. Sometime Lewis Loytrer biddeth me come neere, Somewhyles Watkin Waster maketh us good cheere. Sometime Davy Diceplayer when he hath well cast Keepeth revell route as long as it will last. Sometime Tom Titivile maketh us a feast. Sometime with Sir Hugh Pye I am a bidden gueast. Sometime at Nichol Neverthrives I get a soppe, Sometime I am feasted with Bryan Blenkinsoppe, Sometime I hang on Hankyn Hoddydoddies sleeve, But thys day on Ralph Royster Doyster's by hys leeve. For truely of all men he is my chiefe banker Both for meate and money, and my chiefe shootanker.
Royster Doyster is the great prototype of that large class of weak brethren who figure as " gulls " so prominently in the later comedies, especially those of Ben Jonson. Merygreeke goes on to give a very lively portrait of him :
All the day long is he facing and craking
Of his great actes in fighting and fraymaking ;
But when Royster Doyster is put to his proofe.
To keep the Queen's peace is more for his behoofe.
If any woman smyle or cast on hym an eye,
Up is he to the harde eares in love by and by.
And in all the hotte haste must she be hys wife.
Else farewell hys good days and farewell his life. . . .
But such sporte have I with him as I would not leese.
Though I should be bound to lyve with bread and cheese.
I can with a worde make him fayne or loth,
I can with as much make him pleased or wroth,
I can when I will make him mery and glad,
I can when me lust make him sory and sad,
• . •
DOMESTIC LIFE OF SHAKSPERE'S TIME 155
I can set him in hope and eke in dispaire,
I can make him speak rough and make him speake faire. . . •
I wyll seeke him out : But Joe he commeth thys way,
I have yond espied hym sadly comming.
And in love for twentie pounde, by hys glommyng.
Scene II of the first act now begins :
Rafe Royster Doyster entering to Mathew Merygreeke.
R. Royster. Come death when thou wilt, I am weary of my life.'