DODGER

My lord, I come to bring unwelcome news.

Your nephew Lacy, and your daughter Rose

Early this morning wedded at the Savoy,

150

None being present but the Lady Mayoress.

Besides, I learnt among the officers

The Lord Mayor vows to stand in their defence

‘Gainst any that shall seek to cross the match.

LINCOLN

Dares Eyre the shoemaker uphold the deed?

155

FIRK

Yes, sir, shoemakers dare stand in a woman’s quarrel, I warrant

you, as deep as another and deeper too.

DODGER

Besides, his Grace today dines with the Mayor,

Who on his knees humbly intends to fall

And beg a pardon for your nephew’s fault.

160

LINCOLN

But I’ll prevent him. Come, Sir Roger Oatley,

The King will do us justice in this cause.

Howe’er their hands have made them man and wife,

I will disjoin the match, or lose my life.

FIRK

Adieu, Monsieur Dodger! Farewell, fools! Ha, ha! O, if they had

165

stayed, I would have so lammed them with flouts! O heart! My

codpiece point is ready to fly in pieces every time I think upon

Mistress Rose - but let that pass, as my Lady Mayoress says.

HODGE

This matter is answered. Come, Ralph, home with thy wife.

Come, my fine shoemakers, let’s to our master’s the new Lord

170

Mayor, and there swagger this Shrove Tuesday. I’ll promise you

wine enough, for Madge keeps the cellar.

ALL

O rare! Madge is a good wench.

FIRK

And I’ll promise you meat enough, for simpering Susan keeps

the larder. I’ll lead you to victuals, my brave soldiers; follow

175

your captain. O brave! Hark, hark!

ALL

The pancake bell rings, the pancake bell. Tri-lill, my hearts!

FIRK

O brave! O sweet bell! O delicate pancakes! Open the doors, my

hearts, and shut up the windows. Keep in the house, let out the

pancakes. O rare, my hearts! Let’s march together for the

180

honour of Saint Hugh to the great new hall in Gracious Street

corner, which our master the new Lord Mayor hath built.

RALPH

O, the crew of good fellows that will dine at my Lord Mayor’s

cost today!

HODGE

By the Lord, my Lord Mayor is a most brave man. How shall

185

prentices be bound to pray for him and the honour of the

Gentlemen Shoemakers! Let’s feed and be fat with my lord’s

bounty.

FIRK

O musical bell still! O Hodge, O my brethren! There’s cheer for

the heavens - venison pasties walk up and down piping hot like

190

sergeants, beef and brewis comes marching in dry-fats, fritters

and pancakes comes trolling in in wheelbarrows, hens and

oranges hopping in porters’ baskets, collops and eggs in scuttles,

and tarts and custards comes quavering in malt shovels.

ALL

Whoop, look here, look here!

195

HODGE

How now, mad lads, whither away so fast?

1 PRENTICE

Whither? Why, to the great new hall! Know you not why? The

Lord Mayor hath bidden all the prentices in London to

breakfast this morning.

ALL

O brave shoemaker! O brave lord of incomprehensible good

200

fellowship! Hoo, hark you, the pancake bell rings!