Part 16 (2/2)

_1st Shepherd._ Nor drink, in my heed,--with him till I meet.

_2nd Shepherd._ I will rest in no stead, till that I him greet, My brother One I will hight:[157]

Till I see him in sight Shall I never sleep one night There I do another.

_3rd Shepherd._ Will ye hear how they hack,[158]--Our Sire! list, how they croon!

_1st Shepherd._ Hard I never none crack,--so clear out of tune.

Call on him.

_2nd Shepherd._ Mac! undo your door soon.

_Mac._ Who is it that spoke,--as it were noon?

On loft, Who is that I say?

_3rd Shepherd._ Good fellows! were it day?

_Mac._ As far as ye may,-- Good, speak ye soft!

Over a sick woman's head,--that is ill mate ease, I had liefer be dead,--or she had any disease.

_Wife._ Go to another stead; I may not well quea.s.se[159]

Each foot that ye tread--goes near make me sneeze[160]

So he!

_1st Shepherd._ Tell us, Mac, if ye may, How fare ye, I say?

_Mac._ But are ye in this town to-day?

Now how fare ye?

Ye have run in the mire, and are wet yit: I shall make you a fire, if ye will sit.

A horse would I hire; think ye on it.

Well quit is my hire, my dream--this is it.

A season.

I have bairns if ye knew, Well more than enew,[161]

But we must drink as we brew, And that is but reason.

I would ye dined e'er ye yode:[162] methink that ye sweat.

_2nd Shepherd._ Nay, neither mends our mode, drink nor meat.

_Mac._ Why, sir, ails you aught, but good?

_3rd Shepherd._ Yes, our sheep that we gat, Are stolen as they yode.[163] Our loss is great.

_Mac._ Sirs, drinks!

Had I been there, Some should have bought it full dear.

_1st Shepherd._ Marry, some men trows that ye were, And that us forethinks.[164]

_2nd Shepherd._ Mac, some men trows that it should be ye.

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