_Man._ Whoop! ho! Mercy hath broken his neckercher, a vows! Or he hangeth by the neck high up on the gallows. Adieu, fair master! I will haste me to the ale-house, And speak with New Guise, Now-a-days, and Nought; A[nd] get me a leman with a smattering face.
_New G._ Make space! for Cock's body sacred, make space! Aha! well! on! run! God give him evil grace! We were near saint Patrick's way, by Him that me bought! I was twitched by the neck; the game was begun; A grace was; the halter brast asunder--_Ecce signum!_-- The half is about my neck: we had a near run! "Beware!" quod the good wife when she smote off her husband's head--"beware!" Mischief is a convict, for he could his neck-verse-- My body gave a swing when I hung upon the casse. Alas! who will hang such a likely man, and a fierce, For stealing of an horse? I pray God give him care! Do way this halter! what [the] devil doth Mankind here? with sorrow!-- Alas, how my neck is sore, I make avow!
_M[an]._ Ye be welcome, New Guise! Sir! what cheer with you?
_New G._ Well, sir! I have no cause to mourn.
_M[an]._ What was there about your neck? so God you amend!
_New G._ In faith! saint Audrey's holy bend; I have a little dishele, as it please God to send, With a running ringworm.
_Now._ Stand, aroom! I pray thee, brother mine! I have laboured all this night; when shall we go dine? A church, here beside, shall pay for ale, bread, and wine; Lo! here is stuff will serve.
_New G._ Now, by the holy Mary! thou art better merchant than I!
_Nought._ Avaunt, knaves! let me go by! I can not geet, and I should starve.
_Mis._ Here cometh a man of arms; why stand ye so still? Of murder and manslaughter I have my belly fill.
_Now._ What, Mischief! have ye been in prison? and it be your will, Meseemeth ye have sco[u]red a pair of fetters.
_Mis._ I was chained by the arms; lo! I have them here. The chains I brast asunder and killed the jailor; Yea, and his fair wife halsed in a corner: A! how sweetly I kissed that sweet mouth of hers! When I had do, I was mine own bottler; I brought away with me both dish and doubler. Here is enou' for me: be of good cheer! Yet, well fare the new che[vi]sance!
_Man._ I ask mercy of New Guise, Now-a-days, and Nought; Once, with my spade, I remember that I fought; I will make you amends if I hurt you aught, Or did any grievance.
