hou couldst do me no hurt,
Although thou seem'st to cross me with despite,
I overwhelm'd and turn'd upside down thy block,
And made thyself to stumble at the same.

ENVY. Though stumbled, yet not overthrown:
Thou canst not draw my heart to mildness,
Yet must I needs confess thou hast done well,
And play'd thy part with mirth and pleasant glee.
Say all this; yet canst thou not conquer me,
Although this time thou hast got--
Yet not the conquest neither,
A double revenge another time I'll have.[198]

COMEDY. Then, caitiff cursed, stoop upon thy knee;
Yield to a woman, though not to me,
And from her foes high God defend her still,
That they 'gainst her may never work their will.

ENVY. Envy, were he never so stout
Would beck and bow unto her majesty.
Indeed, Comedy, thou hast overrun me now,
And forc'd me stoop unto a woman's sway.
God grant her grace amongst us long may reign,
And those that would not have it so,
Would that by Envy soon their hearts they might forego.

COMEDY. The council, nobles, and this realm,
Lord, guide it still with thy most holy hand!
The Commons and the subjects, grant them grace.
Their prince to serve, her to obey, and treason to deface:
Long may she reign in joy and great felicity,
Each Christian heart do say amen with me.

[_Exeunt_.

FINIS.

THE TWO ANGRY WOMEN OF ABINGTON.

_EDITION.

The Pleasant Historie of the two angrie women of Abington. With the
humorous mirthe of Dick Coomes and Nicholas Prouerbes, two Seruingmen.
As it was lately playde by the right Honorable the Earle of Nottingham,
Lord high Admirall, his seruants. By Henry Porter Gent. Imprinted at
London for Ioseph Hunt, and William Ferbrand, and are to be solde at
the Corner of Colman-streete, neere Loathburie_. 1599. 4to.

Another 4to, printed for Ferbrand alone, was published during the same
year.--_Dyce_.

[DYCE'S PREFACE.][199]

The text of the former 4to, which is, I apprehend, the earlier impression,
has been adopted in the present reprint, except where the readings of the
other edition have been occasionally preferred, and where obvious
typographical errors have been rectified. Every minute particular in
which the second 4to differs from the first, I have thought it unnecessary
to note. The absurd punctuation and faulty metrical arrangement of the
old copy have not been followed; and I must be allowed to add that I have
retained the original