Act 4 — [Scene II.][3111]

Pomp. Welcome, Sir Knight, unto my father’s court,5 King of Moldavia: unto me Pompiona, His daughter dear! But, sure, you do not like Your entertainment, that will stay with us No longer but a night. Ralph. Damsel right fair, I am on many sad[3112] adventures bound,10 That call me forth into the wilderness; Besides, my horse’s back is something gall’d, Which will enforce me ride a sober pace. But many thanks, fair lady, be to you For using errant knight with courtesy!15 Pomp. But say, brave knight, what is your name and birth? Ralph. My name is Ralph; I am an Englishman, As true as steel, a hearty Englishman, And prentice to a grocer in the Strand By deed indent,[3113] of which I have one part:20 But fortune calling me to follow arms, On me this holy order I did take Of Burning Pestle, which in all men’s eyes I bear, confounding ladies’ enemies. Pomp. Oft have I heard of your brave countrymen,25 And fertile soil, and store of wholesome food; My father oft will tell me of a drink In England found, and nipitato[3114] call’d, Which driveth all the sorrow from your hearts. Ralph. Lady, ’t is true; you need not lay your lips30 To better nipitato than there is. Pomp. And of a wild fowl he will often speak, Which powd’red[3115]-beef-and-mustard called is: For there have been great wars ’twixt us and you; But truly, Ralph, it was not ’long of me.35 Tell me then, Ralph, could you contented be To wear lady’s favour in your shield? Ralph. I am a knight of religious order, And will not wear a favour of a lady39 That trusts in Antichrist and false traditions.

Ralph. Besides, I have a lady of my own In merry England, for whose virtuous sake I took these arms; and Susan is her name,45 A cobbler’s maid in Milk Street; whom I vow Ne’er to forsake whilst life and Pestle last. Pomp. Happy that cobbling dame, whoe’er she be, That for her own, dear Ralph, hath gotten thee! Unhappy I, that ne’er shall see the day50 To see thee more, that bear’st my heart away! Ralph. Lady, farewell; I needs must take my leave. Pomp. Hard-hearted Ralph, that ladies dost deceive!

Ralph. Lady, before I go, I must remember Your father’s officers, who truth to tell, Have been about me very diligent. Hold up thy snowy hand, thou princely maid! There’s twelve-pence for your father’s chamberlain;61 And another shilling for his cook, For, by my troth, the goose was roasted well; And twelve-pence for your father’s horse-keeper, For nointing my horse’ back, and for his butter[3116]65 There is another shilling; to the maid That washt my boot-hose[3117] there ’s an English groat, And two-pence to the boy that wipt my boots; And last, fair lady, there is for yourself Three-pence, to buy you pins at Bumbo Fair. Pomp. Full many thanks; and I will keep them safe71 Till all the heads be off, for thy sake, Ralph. Ralph. Advance, my squire and dwarf! I cannot stay. Pomp. Thou kill’st my heart in passing thus away. Exeunt.