Act 2 — [Scene III.][3027]
Reading edition
[Scene III.][3027]
Enter Ralph and Dwarf [George].
Ralph. Comes not sir squire again? George. Right courteous knight, Your squire doth come, and with him comes the lady, Enter Mistress Merrythought, Michael, and Squire [Tim]. For and[3028] the Squire of Damsels, as I take it. Ralph. Madam, if any service or devoir4 Of a poor errant knight may right your wrongs, Command it; I am prest[3029] to give you succour; For to that holy end I bear my armour.
Mist. Mer. Alas, sir, I am a poor gentlewoman, and I have lost my money in this forest!
Ralph. Desert, you would say, lady; and not lost10 Whilst I have sword and lance. Dry up your tears, Which ill befits the beauty of that face, And tell the story, if I may request it, Of your disastrous fortune.
Mist. Mer. Out, alas! I left a thousand 15 pound, a thousand pound, e’en all the money I had laid up for this youth, upon the sight of your mastership, you lookt so grim, and, as I may say it, saving your presence, more like a giant than a mortal man. 20
Ralph. I am as you are, lady; so are they; All mortal. But why weeps this gentle squire?
Mist. Mer. Has he not cause to weep, do you think, when he hath lost his inheritance?
Ralph. Young hope of valour, weep not; I am here25 That will confound thy foe, and pay it dear Upon his coward head, that dares deny Distressed squires and ladies equity. I have but one horse, on which shall ride This fair lady behind me, and before,30 This courteous squire: fortune will give us more Upon our next adventure. Fairly speed Beside us, squire and dwarf, to do us need! Exeunt.
Cit. Did not I tell you, Nell, what your man would do? By the faith of my body, wench, 35 for clean action and good delivery, they may all cast their caps at him.[3030]
Wife. And so they may, i’ faith; for I dare speak it boldly, the twelve companies[3031] of London cannot match him, timber for timber.[3032] Well, George, an he be not inveigled by some 41 of these paltry players, I ha’ much marvel: but, George, we ha’ done our parts, if the boy have any grace to be thankful.
Cit. Yes, I warrant thee, duckling. 45