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Gammer Gurton's Needle 41
Diccon: "Stick to it," quoth 1 you, Master Rat? Marry, sir, I defy it!
Nay, there is many an honest man when he such blasts hath blown
In his friends' ears, he would be loath the same by him were known. 2
If such a toy be used oft among the honesty,
It may beseem a simple man of your and my degree. 3
D. Rat Then we may be never the nearer for all that you can tell?
Diccon: Yes, marry, sir, if ye will do by my advice and counsel.
If Mother Chat see all us here, she knoweth how the matter goes;
Therefore I rede 4 you three go hence, and within keep close;
And I will into Dame Chat's house, and so the matter use 5
That, ere you could go twice to church, 6 I warrant you'll hear news!
She shall look well about her, but I durst lay a pledge
Ye shall of Gammer's nee'le have shortly better knowledge.
Gammer: Now, gentle Diccon, do so; and, good sir, let us trudge.
D. Rat: By the Mass, I may not tarry so long to be your judge!
Diccon: 'Tis but a little while, man. What! Take so much pain! 7
If I hear no news of it, I will come sooner again.
Hodge: Tarry so much, good Master Doctor, of your gentleness!
D. Rat: Then let us hie us inward; and Diccon, speed thy business! 8
[Dr. Rat, Gammer, and Hodge go and hide in
Gammer's house]
THE FOURTH ACT
The Third Scene
[Diccon remains and speaks to the audience]
Diccon: Now, sirs, do you no more but keep my counsel just,
And Doctor Rat shall thus catch some good, I trust.
But Mother Chat, my gossip, 9 talk first withal I must,
For she must be chief captain to lay the Rat in the dust!
[Diccon walks toward Dame Chat's house; she comes
out and meets him.]
1
Quoth: say
2
He would . . . known: he would be reluctant that people knew he had spread the rumor.
3
If such. . . degree: If such a little joke is common among the upper classes, it may also be appropriate for a simple man, such
as you or me.
4
Rede: advise
5
So the matter use: so manage the situation
6
Ere you could go twice to church: Before you could walk to the church and back two times
7
Take so much pain!: At least take that much trouble!
8 Speed thy business: hurry it up!
9 Gossip: good friend