(2)

[TRISTRAM TRUSTY, _a good friend and counsellor to_ DAME CUSTANCE,
_is consulted by her on the matter of the sea-captain's_
(SURESBY'S) _misunderstanding of her attitude towards_ RALPH
ROISTER DOISTER.]

_T. Trusty._ Nay, weep not, woman, but tell me what your cause is.
As concerning my friend is anything amiss?

_C. Custance._ No, not on my part; but here was Sim. Suresby--

_T. Trusty._ He was with me, and told me so.

_C. Custance._ And he stood by
While Ralph Roister Doister, with help of Merrygreek,
For promise of marriage did unto me seek.

_T. Trusty._ And had ye made any promise before them twain?

_C. Custance._ No, I had rather be torn in pieces and slain.
No man hath my faith and troth but Gawin Goodluck,
And that before Suresby did I say, and there stuck;
But of certain letters there were such words spoken--

_T. Trusty._ He told me that too.

_C. Custance._ And of a ring and token,
That Suresby, I spied, did more than half suspect
That I my faith to Gawin Goodluck did reject.