Knight of the Burning — Act V (Part 5 of 8)

Enter JASPER.

Jasp . Then, I pray you, sir, do so still.

Mer . Jasper’s ghost!

[ Sings .

Thou art welcome from Stygian lake so soon;
Declare to me what wondrous things in Pluto’s court are done.

Jasp . By my troth, sir, I ne’er came there; ’tis too hot for
me, sir.

Mer . A merry ghost, a very merry ghost!

[ Sings .

And where is your true love? Oh, where is yours?

Jasp . Marry, look you, sir!

Removes the cloth, and Luce rises out of the Coffin .

Mer . Ah, ha! art thou good at that, i’faith?

[ Sings .

With hey, trixy, terlery-whiskin,
The world it runs on wheels;
When the young man’s—,
Up goes the maiden’s heels.

Mistress MERRYTHOUGHT and MICHAEL within .

Mist . Mer . [ within ] What, Master Merrythought! will you
not let’s in? what do you think shall become of us?

Mer . [ Sings .]
What voice is that that calleth at our door?

Mist.Mer . [ within .] You know me well enough; I am sure I
have not been such a stranger to you.

Mer . [ Sings .]
And some they whistled, and some they sung,
Hey, down, down!
And some did loudly say,
Ever as the Lord Barnet’s horn blew,
Away, Musgrave, away!

Mist. Mer . [ within .] You will not have us starve here, will
you, Master Merrythought?

Jasp . Nay, good sir, be persuaded; she is my mother:
If her offences have been great against you,
Let you own love remember she is yours,
And so forgive her.

Luce . Good Master Merrythought,
Let me entreat you; I will not be denied.

Mist. Mer . [ within .] Why, Master Merrythought, will you be
a vexed thing still?

Mer. Woman, I take you to my love again; but you shall
sing before you enter; therefore despatch your song and
so come in.

Mist. Mer. [ within .] Well, you must have your will, when
all’s done.—Mick, what song canst thou sing, boy?