OATLEY

Master Eyre, are all these shoemakers?

EYRE

All cordwainers, my good Lord Mayor.

ROSE

[Aside] How like my Lacy looks yond shoemaker!

LACY

[Aside] O, that I durst but speak unto my love!

OATLEY

Sybil, go fetch some wine to make these drink. - You are all

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welcome.

ALL [THE SHOEMAKERS]

We thank your lordship.

ROSE

For his sake whose fair shape thou represent’st,

Good friend, I drink to thee.

LACY

Ick be dancke, good frister.

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MARGERY

I see, Mistress Rose, you do not want judgment. You have drunk

to the properest man I keep.

FIRK

Here be some have done their parts to be as proper as he.

OATLEY

Well, urgent business calls me back to London.

Good fellows, first go in and taste our cheer,

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And to make merry as you homeward go,

Spend these two angels in beer at Stratford Bow.

EYRE

To these two, my mad lads, Sim Eyre adds another. Then cheerly,

Firk, tickle it, Hans, and all for the honour of shoemakers.

OATLEY

Come, Master Eyre, let’s have your company.

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ROSE

Sybil, what shall I do?

SYBIL Why, what’s the matter?

ROSE

That Hans the shoemaker is my love, Lacy,

Disguised in that attire to find me out.

How should I find the means to speak with him?

SYBIL

What, mistress, never fear. I dare venture my maidenhead to

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nothing - and that’s great odds! - that Hans the Dutchman,

when we come to London, shall not only see and speak with

you, but, in spite of all your father’s policies, steal you away and

marry you. Will not this please you?

ROSE

Do this, and ever be assured of my love.

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SYBIL

Away then, and follow your father to London, lest your absence

cause him to suspect something.

Tomorrow, if my counsel be obeyed,

I’ll bind you prentice to the Gentle Trade.