This is a merry ballad, but a very pretty one
Autolycus
This is a merry ballad, but a very pretty
one.
Mopsa
Let's have some merry ones.
Autolycus
Why, this is a passing merry one and goes
to the tune of —Two Maids Wooing a Man. There's
scarce a maid westward but she sings it. ‘Tis in
request, I can tell you.
Mopsa
We can both sing it. If thou ‘lt bear a part, thou
shalt hear; 'tis in three parts.
Dorcas
We had the tune on ‘t a month ago.
Autolycus
I can bear my part. You must know 'tis my
occupation. Have at it with you.
Song.
Autolycus
Get you hence, for I must go
Where it fits not you to know.
Dorcas
Whither?
Mopsa
O, whither?
Dorcas
Whither?
Mopsa
It becomes thy oath full well
Thou to me thy secrets tell.
Dorcas
Me too. Let me go thither.
Mopsa
Or thou goest to th' grange or mill.
Dorcas
If to either, thou dost ill.
Autolycus
Neither.
Dorcas
What, neither?
Autolycus
Neither.
Dorcas
Thou hast sworn my love to be.
Mopsa
Thou hast sworn it more to me.
Then whither goest? Say whither.
Shepherd's Son
We'll have this song out anon by
ourselves. My father and the gentlemen are in sad
talk, and we'll not trouble them. Come, bring away
thy pack after me.—Wenches, I'll buy for you
both.—Peddler, let's have the first choice.—Follow
me, girls.
He exits with Mopsa, Dorcas, Shepherds and
Shepherdesses.
Autolycus
And you shall pay well for 'em.
Song.
Will you buy any tape,
Or lace for your cape,
My dainty duck, my dear-a?
Any silk, any thread,
Any toys for your head,
Of the new'st and fin'st, fin'st wear-a?
Come to the peddler.
Money's a meddler
That doth utter all men's ware-a.
He exits.