Marked words are the most distinguishing words of T9: play, stage, poet, prologue, author, wit, plays, muse, scene, players.
WHat Creature is in health, either young or old, But some mirth with modesty will be glad to use As we in this Interlude shall now unfold, Wherein all scurrility we utterly refuse, Avoiding such mirth wherein is abuse: Knowing nothing more commendable for a man's recreation Than Mirth which is used in an honest fashion: For Mirth prolongeth life, and causeth health. Mirth recreates our spirits and voideth pensiveness, Mirth increaseth amity, not hindering our wealth, Mirth is to be used both of more and less, Being mixed with virtue in decent comeliness. As we trust no good nature can gainsay the same: Which mirth we intend to use, avoiding all blame. The wise poet's long time heretofore, Under merry Comedies secrets did declare, Wherein was contained very virtuous lore, With mysteries and forewarnings very rare. such to write neither Plautus nor Terence did spare, Which among the learned at this day bears the bell: These with such other therein did excel. Our Comedy or Interlude which we intend to play. Is named Roister Doyster in deed. Which against the vain glorious doth inveigh, Whose humour the roisting sort continually doth feed. Thus by your patience we intend to proceed In this our Interlude by God's leave and grace, And here I take my leave for a certain space. AS long liveth the merry man (they say) As doth the sorry man, and longer by a day. Yet the grasshopper for all his Summer piping, starveth in Winter with hungry griping, Therefore another said saw doth men advise, That they be together both merry and wise. This Lesson must I practise, or else ere long, With me Mathew Merrygreek it will be wrong. In deed men so call me, for by him that us bought, whatever chance betide, I can take no thought, Yet wisdom would that I did myself bethink Where to be provided this day of meat and drink: For know ye, that for all this merry note of mine, He might appose me now that should ask where I dine. My living lieth here and there, of God's grace, Sometime with this good man, sometime in that place, Sometime Lewis Loytrer biddeth me come near, somewhiles Watkin Waster maketh us good cheer, Sometime Davy Diceplayer when he hath well cast Keepeth revel rout as long as it will last. Sometime Tom Titivile maketh us a feast, Sometime with sir Hugh Pie I am a bidden guest, Sometime at Nichol Neuerthriues I get a sop, Sometime I am feasted with Bryan Blinkinsop, Sometime I hang on Hankin Hoddydody's sleeve, But this day on Ralph Roister Doyster's by his leave. For truly of all men he is my chief banker Both for meat and money, and my chief shootanker. For, sooth Roister Doister in that he doth say, And require what ye will ye shall have no nay, But now of Roister Doister somewhat to express,
seed 43: T16 · seed 44: T15 — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
WHat Creatre is in health, eyther yong or olde, But som mirth with modestie wil be glad to vse As we in thys Enterlude shall now vnfolde, Wherin all scuriitie we vtterly refuse, Auoiding such mirth wherin is abuse: Knowing nothing more comēdable for a mās recreation Than Mirth which is vsed in an honest fashion: For Myrth prolongeth lyfe, and causeth health. Mirth recreates our spirites and voydeth pensiuenesse, Mirth increaseth amitie, not hindring our wealth, Mirth is to be vsed both of more and lesse, Being mixed with vertue in decent comlyesse. As we trust no good nature can gainsay the ame: Which mirth we intende to vse, auoidyng all blame. The wyse Poets long time heretofore, Under merrie Comedies secretes did declare, Wherein was contained very vertuous ore, With mysteries and forewarnings very rare. Suche to write neither Plautus nor Terence dyd spare, Whiche among the learned at this day beares the bell: These with such other therein dyd excell. Our Comedie or Enterlude which we intende to play. Is named Royster Doyster in déede. Which against the vayne glorious doth inuey, Whose humour the roysting sort continually doth féede. Thus by your pacience we intende to procéede In this our Enterlude by Gods leaue and grace, And here I take my leaue for a certaine space. AS long lyueth the mery man (they say) As doth the sory man, and longer by a day. Yet the Grassehopper for all his Sōmer pipyng, Sterueth in Winter wyth hungrie gripyng, Therefore an other sayd sawe doth men aduise, That they be together both mery and wise. Thys Lesson must I practise, or else ere long, Wyth mée Mathew Merygréeke it will be wrong. In deede men so call me, for by him that vs bought, What euer chaunce betide, I can take no thought, Yet wisedome woulde that I did my selfe bethinke Where to be prouided this day of meate and drinke: For knowe ye, that for all this merie note of mine, He might appose me now that should aske where I dine. My lyuing lieth heere and there, of Gods grace, Sometime wyth this good man, sometyme in that place, Sometime Lewis Loytrer biddeth me come néere, Somewhyles Watkin Waster maketh vs good chéere, Sometime Dauy Diceplayer when he hath well cast Kéepeth reuell route as long as it will last. Sometime Tom Titiuile maketh vs a feast, Sometime with sir Hugh Pye I am a bidden gueast, Sometime at Nichol Neuerthriues I get a soppe, Sometime I am feasted with Bryan Blinkinsoppe, Sometime I hang on Hankyn Hoddydodies sléeue, But thys day on Ralph Royster Doysters by hys léeue. For truely of all men he is my chiefe banker Both for meate and money, and my chiefe shootanker. For, sooth Roister Doister in that he doth say, And require what ye will ye shall haue no nay, But now of Roister Doister somewhat to expresse,