"Everyman," With Other Interludes, Including Eight Miracle Plays Part 17

_3rd Shepherd._ Either ye or your spouse; so say we.

_Mac._ Now if ye have suspouse[165] to Gill or to me, Come and rip our house, and then may ye see Who had her.

If I any sheep got, Either cow or stot, And Gill, my wife rose not Here since she laid her.

As I am both true and leal, to G.o.d here I pray, That this be the first meal, I shall eat this day.

_1st Shepherd._ Mac, as I have weal, arise thee, I say!

"He learned timely to steal, that could not say nay."

_Wife._ I swelt.[166]

Out thieves from my once!

Ye come to rob us for the nonce.

_Mac._ Hear ye not how she groans?

Your heart should melt.

_Wife._ Out thieves, from my bairn! Nigh him not th.o.r.e.

_Mac._ Knew ye how she had farne,[167] your hearts would be sore.

Ye do wrong, I you warn, that thus commys before To a woman that has farn;[168] but I say no more.

_Wife._ Ah, my middle!

I pray to G.o.d so mild, If ever I you beguiled, That I eat this child, That lies in this cradle.

_Mac._ Peace, woman, for G.o.d's pain, and cry not so: Thou spill'st thy brain, and mak'st me full woe.

_2nd Shepherd._ I know our sheep be slain, what find ye too?

_3rd Shepherd._ All work we in vain: as well may we go.

But hatters.[169]

I can find no flesh, Hard nor nesh,[170]

Salt nor fresh, But two tome[171] platters: No cattle but this, tame nor wild, None, as have I bliss; as loud as he smiled.

_Wife._ No, so G.o.d me bliss, and give me joy of my child.

_1st Shepherd._ We have marked amiss: I hold us beguiled.

_2nd Shepherd._ Sir, done!

Sir, our lady him save, Is your child a knave?[172]

_Mac._ Any lord might him have This child to his son.

When he wakens he skips, that joy is to see.

_3rd Shepherd._ In good time, be his steps, and happy they be!

But who was his gossips, tell now to me!

_Mac._ So fair fall their lips!

_1st Shepherd (aside)._ Hark now, a lee![173]

_Mac._ So G.o.d them thank, Parkin, and Gibbon Waller, I say, And gentle John Horne, in good fay,[174]

He made all the garray,[175]

With the great shank.

_2nd Shepherd._ Mac, friends will we be, for we are all one.

_Mac._ Why! now I hold for me, for help get I none.

Farewell all three: all glad were ye gone.

_3rd Shepherd._ Fair words may there be, but love there is none.

_1st Shepherd._ Gave ye the child anything?

_2nd Shepherd._ I trust not one farthing.

_3rd Shepherd._ Fast again will I fling, Abide ye me there. [_He returns to Mac's cot._ Mac, take it to no grief, if I come to thy barn.

_Mac._ Nay, thou dost me great reprieve, and foul hast thou farne.[176]

_3rd Shepherd._ The child will it not grieve, that little day starn.[177]

Mac, with your leave, let me give your bairn, But sixpence.

_Mac._ Nay, go 'way: he sleepys.

_3rd Shepherd._ Methink he peepys.

_Mac._ When he wakens he weepys.

I pray you go hence.

_3rd Shepherd._ Give me leave him to kiss, and lift up the clout.

What the devil is this? He has a long snout.

_1st Shepherd._ He is marked amiss. We wait ill about.

_2nd Shepherd._ Ill spun weft, I wis, aye cometh foul out; Aye so; He is like to our sheep.

_3rd Shepherd._ How, Gib, may I peep?

_1st Shepherd._ I trow, kind will creep, Where it may not go.

_2nd Shepherd._ This was a quaint gaud,[178] and a far cast It was a high fraud.

_3rd Shepherd._ Yea, sirs, was't.

Let burn this bawd and bind her fast.

A false skawd[179] hangs at the last; So shall thou.

Will ye see how they swaddle His four feet in the middle?

Saw I never in a cradle A horned lad e'er now.

_Mac._ Peace bid I: what! let be your fare; I am he that him gat, and yond woman him bare.