Francis Beaumont

“ I wonder why the kings do not raise an army of fourteen or fifteen hundred thousand men, as big as the army that the Prince of Portigo brought against Rosicleer, and destroy these giants; they do much hurt to wandering damsels, that go in quest of their knights. Wife.
Faith, husband, and Ralph says true; for they say the King of Portugal cannot sit at his meat, but the giants and the ettins will come and snatch it from him. ”

“ Chicken, I prithee heartily, contain thyself: the childer are pretty childer; but when Ralph comes, lamb—— Wife.
Ay, when Ralph comes, cony!—Well, my youth, you may proceed.] Vent.
Well, sir, you know my love, and rest, I hope, Assured of my consent; get but my daughter’s, And wed her when you please. You must be bold, And clap in close unto her: come, I know You have language good enough to win a wench. [Wife.
A whoreson tyrant! h’as been an old stringer in’s days, I warrant him.] Hum.
I take your gentle offer, and withal Yield love again for love reciprocal. Vent. ”

“ But how wilt thou do, Charles? thou art an old man, and thou canst not work, and thou hast not forty shillings left, and thou eatest good meat, and drinkest good drink, and laughest. Mer.
And will do. ”

“ Well, I’ll be hanged for a halfpenny, if there be not some abomination knavery in this play. Well; let ’em look to’t; Ralph must come, and if there be any tricks a-brewing—— Wife.
Let ’em brew and bake too, husband, a’ God’s name; Ralph will find all out, I warrant you, an they were older than they are.— [Enter Boy.] —I pray, my pretty youth, is Ralph ready? Boy.
He will be presently. Wife.
Now, I pray you, make my commendations unto him, and withal carry him this stick of liquorice: tell him his mistress sent it to him; and bid him bite a piece; ’twill open his pipes the better, say.] ”

“ Nutmegs and ginger, cinnamon and cloves; And they gave me this jolly red nose. ”