Act 3 — [Scene III.][3081]
Reading edition
[Scene III.][3081]
Enter Mistress Merrythought.
Wife. Look, George, here comes Mistress Merrythought again! and I would have Ralph come and fight with the giant; I tell you true, I long to see ’t.
Cit. Good Mistress Merrythought, begone, 5 I pray you, for my sake; I pray you, forbear a little; you shall have audience presently; I have a little business.
Wife. Mistress Merrythought, if it please you to refrain your passion a little, till Ralph 10 have despatcht the giant out of the way, we shall think ourselves much bound to you. I thank you, good Mistress Merrythought.
Exit Mistress Merrythought.
Enter a Boy.
Cit. Boy, come hither. Send away Ralph and this whoreson giant quickly.15
Boy. In good faith, sir, we cannot; you ’ll utterly spoil our play, and make it to be hist; and it cost money; you will not suffer us to go on with our plot.—I pray, gentlemen, rule him.
Cit. Let him come now and despatch this,20 and I ’ll trouble you no more.
Boy. Will you give me your hand of that?
Wife. Give him thy hand, George, do; and I ’ll kiss him. I warrant thee, the youth means plainly.25
Boy. I ’ll send him to you presently.[3082]
Wife. [kissing him.] I thank you, little youth. (Exit Boy.) Faith, the child hath a sweet breath, George; but I think it be troubled with the worms; carduus benedictus and mare’s milk30 were the only thing in the world for ’t.