Part 17 (2/2)

_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.

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