<P_1>

<heading>

A Hundred Mery Talys . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,1.3)

I . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,1.4)

<font> Of the mylner that sayd he harde neuer but of ii commau~demens
and .ii. dowtys . </font> (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,1.5)

</heading>

A certayn Curat in the contrey there was that preched in the pulpit of
the ten commandementys . Seyng that there were ten co~mau~deme~tes that
euery man ought to kepe | & he that brake any of the~ | co~mytted
greuous syn | how be it he sayd that somtyme it was dedly syn & somtyme
venyall | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,1.7)

But when it was dedly syn & when venyall | there were many douts therin
. (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,1.8)

And a mylner a yong ma~ a mad felow that cam seldom to church | & had
ben at very fewe sermons or none in all his lyfe answerd hym tha~
shortly this wyse . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,1.9)

I meruel master parson that ye say ther be so many co~mau~deme~tis & so
many doutys . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,1.10)

For I neuer hard tell but of ii. <P_2> co~mandeme~ts that is to say
co~mande me to you and co~mau~de me fro you . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,2.11)

Nor I never herd tell of mo doutis but twayn that ys to say dout the
candell and dout the fyre . At which answere all the people fell a
laughynge . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,2.12)

By this tale a man may well p~ceyue that they that be brought vp
without lernyng or good maner shall never be but rude and bestely all
though they haue good naturall wyttys . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,2.13)

<heading>

II . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,2.15)

<font> Of the cytesen that callyd the prest syr John~ & he called hi~
master raf . </font> (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,2.16)

</heading>

On a tyme there was a Joly Citesyn walkyng in the co~trey for sport
which met with a folysh prest | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,2.18)

& in dirysyo~ in co~munycacio~ cald hym syr John~ .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,2.19)

this prest , vnderstonding his mockyng calde him master rafe |
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,2.20)

why quod the cytesyn doste thou call me master rafe |
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,2.21)

mary quod the prest why callyst me syr John~ . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,2.22)

Then quod the cytesen I call the syr John~ becawse euery folysh preste
most comonly is calde sir John | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,2.23)

Mary quod the prest (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,2.24)

& I call the master rafe because eueryproud {COM:sic} <P_3> Cocold most
comenly is callyd master Rafe . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,3.25)

At the which answer all that were by laught a pace because dyuers there
supposyd the same cytesen to be a cokcold in dede .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,3.26)

By thys tale ye may se that he that delyteth to deryde & laughe other
to skorne is somtyme hym selfe more derydyd . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,3.27)

<heading>

III . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,3.29)

<font> Of the wyfe that mayd hyr husbande to go syt in the herber in
the nyght whyle her prentys lay with her in her bed . </font>
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,3.30)

</heading>

<P_4>

A wyfe ther was which had apointed her pre~tys to com to her bed in the
night which serua~t had long woyd her to haue his plesure which
acordi~ge to the apoi~tme~t <P_5> ca~ to her bed syde i~ the night her
husba~d liyng by her (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,5.33)

& when she pceyuyd hym ther she caught hi~ by the ha~d
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,5.34)

& hyld hym fast (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,5.35)

& inco~tine~t wakened her husbo~d (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,5.36)

& sayd | Sir it is so ye haue a fals & an vntru serua~t to you which is
william your prentys (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,5.37)

& has lo~ge woyd me to haue his plesur | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,5.38)

& becawse I coud nat auoyde his importunate request I haue appoi~tyd
hym this night to met me in the garde~ i~ the herber
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,5.39)

& yf ye wyll aray your self in myn aray & go theder ye shall se p~fe
therof (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,5.40)

& then ye may rebuke hym as ye thi~ke best by your dyscrecyon |
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,5.41)

this husba~d thus aduertised by his wyfe | put vpo~ hym his wyues
rayme~t (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,5.42)

& went to the herber (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,5.43)

and when he was gone thyder the prentys ca~ in to bed to his mastres
wher for a seaso~ they wer both conte~t and pleasyd ech other by the
space of an hour or .ij . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,5.44)

but when she thought tyme co~uenye~t she sayd to the prentyse Now go
thy way in to the herber (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,5.45)

& mete hym (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,5.46)

& take a good waster in thy ha~d (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,5.47)

& say thou dydys it but to p~ue whether I $would $be {TEXT:woldbe} a
good woma~ or no (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,5.48)

& reward hym as thou thynkyst best . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,5.49)

This prentys doi~g after his mastres co~cell we~t to the herber wher he
founde his master i~ his mastres ap~pel (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,5.50)

& sayd A thou <P_6> harlot art thou comen hether |
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,6.51)

now I se well yf I wold be fals to my master thou woldest be a stro~g
hore (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,6.52)

but I had leuer thou wer ha~gyd tha~ I wold do him so traterous a dede
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,6.53)

therfore I shall gyve the some punishment as thou lyke an hore hast
deseruyd | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,6.54)

& therwith lapt hi~ well about the shold~s & bak (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,6.55)

and gaue hym a dose~ or .ii. good strypys (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,6.56)

the master felyng hym selfe so~what to smart sayd pese wyllia~ myne own
true good serua~t (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,6.57)

for godys sake hold thy ha~dys (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,6.58)

for I a~ thi master & not thi mastres | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,6.59)

na hore quod he thou lyest (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,6.60)

thou art but an harlot (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,6.61)

& I dyd but to p~ue the | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,6.62)

& smote hi~ agayn . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,6.63)

Alas man quod the master I beseche the (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,6.64)

nomore (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,6.65)

for I am not she (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,6.66)

for I am thy master (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,6.67)

fele (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,6.68)

for I haue a berd | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,6.69)

and therwith he sparyd his ha~d (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,6.70)

& felt hys berd . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,6.71)

Alas master quod the prentys I crye you mercy (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,6.72)

& then the mayster went vnto hys wyfe (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,6.73)

& she askyd hym how he had sped (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,6.74)

& he a~swerd I wis wyfe I haue bene shrewdly betyn
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,6.75)

how be it I haue cause to be glad (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,6.76)

for I thanke god I haue as trew a wyfe & as trew a seruant as any man
hath in englond . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,6.77)

By this tale ye may se that it is not wysdome for a man to be rulyd
alway after hys wyues councell . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,6.78)

<P_7>

<heading>

IV . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,7.81)

<font> Of hym that playd the deuyll and came thorow the waren & mayd
theym that stale the connys to ronne away . </font>
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,7.82)

</heading>

It fortunyd that in a market towne in the counte of Suffolk there was a
stage play i~ the which playe on callyd John~ adroyns wich dwelyd i~ a
nother vyllage ij. myle fro~ the~s playd the deuyll .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,7.84)

And whe~ the play was done this John~ adroyns i~ the euenyng departyd
fro the sayd market towne to go home to his owne house
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,7.85)

& be cause he had there no cha~ge of clothi~ge he went forth i~ his
deuylls ap~ell whiche i~ the way comyng homward ca~ thorow a waren of
conys belo~gyng to a ge~tylma~ of the Village wher he hym selfe dwelt .
at which tyme it fortunyd a prest a vycar of a church therby with .ij.
or iij. other vnthryfty felowes had brought with the~ a hors a hey & a
feret to the~et~t ther to get conis (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,7.86)

& whe~ the feret was in the yerth & the hey set ouer the path way
wheri~ thys John~ adroyns shold com . this prest & this other felowes
saw hym com i~ the deuyls rayme~t (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,7.87)

co~syderi~g that they were i~ the deuyls seruyse & steli~g of cones &
supposynge it had ben the deuyll in dede for <P_8> fere ran away .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,8.88)

this John adroyns i~ the deuyls rayme~t & be cause it was so~what dark
saw not the hey (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,8.89)

but we~t forth i~ hast (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,8.90)

& sto~blid therat (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,8.91)

& fell down (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,8.92)

& wyth the fall he had almost broke his nek . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,8.93)

But when he was a lytyll reuyuyd he lokyd vp (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,8.94)

& spyed it was a hay to chach connys (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,8.95)

& lokyd further | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,8.96)

& saw that they ran away for fere of hym | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,8.97)

& saw a horse tyed to a bush laden with connys whych they had taken |
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,8.98)

& he toke the horse & the haye (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,8.99)

& lepe vpo~ the horse (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,8.100)

& rode to the gentylmannys place that was lorde of the waren | to the
entente to haue thanke for takynge suche a pray .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,8.101)

And when he cam | knokyd at the gatys . To whome anone one of
gentylmannys seruauntys askyd who was there | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,8.102)

and sodeynly openyd the gate | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,8.103)

and assone as he perceyuyd hym in the deuyls raymente was sodenly
abashyd | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,8.104)

and sparryd the dore agayn | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,8.105)

& went in to his mayster | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,8.106)

and sayd & sware to hys mayster that the deuyll was at the gate | and
wolde come in . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,8.107)

The gentylman heryng hym say so callyd another of hys seruauntys
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,8.108)

& bad hym go to the gate to knowe who was there .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,8.109)

This seconde seruau~t <P_9> cam to the gate (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,9.110)

durst not open it | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,9.111)

but askyd with lowd voyce who was there . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,9.112)

thys John Adroyns in the deuyls apperell answerd with a hye voyce
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,9.113)

and sayd | Tell thy master I must nedys speke with hym or I go .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,9.114)

This seco~d seruau~t heryng that answer supposynge also it had bene the
deuyll | went in agayn to his master (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,9.115)

and sayd thus | mayster yt is the deuyll in dede that ys at the gate |
and sayth he must nedys speke with you or he go hens .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,9.116)

The gentylma~ then began a lyttvll to bashe (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,9.117)

and callyd the steward of hys howse | whyche was the wysyst seruaunt
that he had (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,9.118)

and bad hym to go to the gate and to brynge hym sure worde who was
there . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,9.119)

This steward be cause he thaught he wold se surely who was there came
to the gate (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,9.120)

and lokyd thorow the chinys of the gate in dyuers placys |
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,9.121)

and saw well that yt was the deuyll and sat vpon an horse
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,9.122)

and hangynge aboute the saddell on euery syde sawe the cony heddys
hengynge down | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,9.123)

than he came to his mayster aferde in greate haste
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,9.124)

and sayd | By goddys body yt is the deuyll in dede that is at the gate
syttyng vpon an horse laden all wyth fowllys | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,9.125)

and by lykelyhede | he is com for your <P_10> soule purposely |
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,10.126)

and lakkyth but your soule | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,10.127)

& yf he had your sowle I wene he shold be gone .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,10.128)

This gentylman tha~ meruelously abashyd callyd vp his chapleyn |
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,10.129)

and made the holy candell to be lyght | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,10.130)

and gat holy water (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,10.131)

and wente to the gate wyth as many of hys seruauntys as durste go with
hym | where the chaplayn with holy wordys of coniuracyon sayde | In the
name of the fader | sonne and holy goost | I coniure the and charg the
in the holy name of god to tell me why and wherfore thowe commyste
hyther . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,10.132)

This John~ Androynys in the deuyllys apparell heryng theym begynne to
co~iure after suche maner sayd | Nay nay be not a ferd of me
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,10.133)

for I am a good dyuell (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,10.134)

I am John~ Adroyns your neghboour dwellyng in thys towne and he that
played the dyuell | to day in the play | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,10.135)

I haue braught my mayster a dosen or ii. of hys owne connyes that were
stolyn in hys waren and theyr horse & theyr hay |
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,10.136)

and made theym for fere to ronne away | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,10.137)

and when they herde hym thus speke by hys voyce they knew hym well
ynoughe (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,10.138)

and openyd the gate (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,10.139)

<P_11>

and let hym come in | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,11.141)

And so all the forsayd fere and drede was tornyd to myrth and dysporte
. (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,11.142)

By this tale ye may se that me~ fear many tymes more than they nede
which hath causyd me~ to beleue that spyryttys & deuyls haue bene sene
in dyuers placys when it hath bene nothynge so .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,11.143)

<heading>

V . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,11.145)

<font> Of the syk man that bequethyd hys thyrd son a lytyll ground with
the galows . </font> (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,11.146)

</heading>

Ther was a riche man which lay sore seke in his bed lyke to dy wherfore
his eldyst son cam to hym & besechyd hym to gyue hym his blyssyng to
whom the fader sayd son thou shalt haue goddys blessyng & myne
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,11.148)

and for that that thou hast ben euer good of co~dycyons I gyue &
bequeth the all my land | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,11.149)

to whom he answered & sayd nay fad~ I trust you shal lyue & occupy them
your selfe full well by goddys grace . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,11.150)

Sone after came his ij. sone to hym lyke wyse (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,11.151)

& desyred his blessyng | to whom the fad~ sayd because thou hast $ben
euer kynde <P_12> & gentyll & I geue the goddys blessynge & myn
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,12.152)

and also I bequeth the all my mouable goodys | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,12.153)

to whom he answerd and sayd | nay fader I trust ye shall lyve & do well
& spend and vse your goodys your selfe by goddys grace .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,12.154)

Anon after the iij. sone cam to hym (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,12.155)

& desyred his blessyng to whom the fader answerd & sayd by cause thou
hast bene euyll & stoborne of condycyons & wolde neuer be ruled after
my cou~sell I haue nother land nor goodys onbequethyd but onely a
lytell vacant ground wher a galows standyth which now I geue and
bequeth to the | and goddys curse withall | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,12.156)

to whom the sonne answerd as hys bretherne dyd & sayd nay fader I trust
ye shall lyue and be in good helth and haue yt and occupy it your selfe
by goddys grace . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,12.157)

But after that the fader dyed (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,12.158)

& this thyrd son co~tynuyd styll hys vnthryfty condycyons wherefore yt
was hys fortune afterwarde for hys deseruyng to be hangyd on the same
galows . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,12.159)

By this tale men may wel perceyue that yong people that wyll not be
ruled by theyr frendys councell in youth in tymys come to a shamfull
ende . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,12.160)

<P_13>

<heading>

VI . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,13.163)

<font> Of the gentylman that lost his ryng in the gentylwomans bed ,
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,13.164)

& a nother gentylman found it after in the same bed . </font>
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,13.165)

</heading>

Two ge~tylmen of accoyntau~ce wer appoyntyd to ly with a ge~tyll woma~
in one nyght the one not knowi~ge of the other at dyuers tymys .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,13.167)

This fyrst at his houre appoyntyd ca~ | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,13.168)

& in the bed ther he fortunid to lese a ryng | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,13.169)

the .ij. gentylma~ when he was gone cam | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,13.170)

& fortunyd to fynd the same rynge | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,13.171)

& when he had sped hys besynes departyd | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,13.172)

& ij. or iij. dayes after the furst ge~tylman seyng hys ryng on the
others fynger chalengyd yt of hym (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,13.173)

& he denyed yt hym (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,13.174)

& bad hi~ tell wher he had lost it (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,13.175)

& he seyd i~ such a gentylwomans <P_14> bed | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,14.176)

than quod the other & ther founde I yt | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,14.177)

& the one sayd he wolde haue yt | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,14.178)

the other sayd he shulde not | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,14.179)

tha~ they agreyd to be iuggid by the next ma~ that they mote |
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,14.180)

& it fortunid theym to mete with the husba~d of the sayd gentyll woma~
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,14.181)

& desyryd hym of his best Jugeme~t showyng hym all hole mater |
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,14.182)

then quod he by my iugeme~t he that owd the shetys should haue the ryng
| (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,14.183)

the~ quod they & for your good iugeme~t you shall haue the ryng .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,14.184)

<heading>

VII . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,14.186)

<font> Of the husband man that askyd for master pyspot the physysyo~ .
</font> (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,14.187)

</heading>

In a vyllage in sussex there dwellyd a husbandman whose wyfe fortunyd
to fall syk . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,14.189)

Thys husbandman came to the preest of the church
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,14.190)

and desyryd hys councell <P_15> what thyng was best to help his wyfe |
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,15.191)

whych answeryd hym & sayd y=t= in bredstrete in londo~ there was a
connyng Phesycyon whose name is callyd master Jordayne |
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,15.192)

Go to hym (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,15.193)

& shew hym that thy wyfe is syk and Jmpotent & not able to go
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,15.194)

& shew hym her water (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,15.195)

and beseech hym to be good master to the | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,15.196)

and praye hym to do hys cure vppon her : (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,15.197)

and I warrant he wyll tech the some medsyne that shall help her .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,15.198)

Thys husbandman , folowyng hys councell ca~ to london
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,15.199)

& askyd of dyuers men which was the way to good ale strete so y=t=
euery man y=t= hard hym laught hym to scorne . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,15.200)

At the last on y=t= harde hym askyd him whether it were not bred strete
that he wold haue | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,15.201)

By god quod the husbandma~ ye say treuth : (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,15.202)

for I wyst well it was other brede or drink : (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,15.203)

So whe~ they had taught hym the way to bred strete & was e~teryd into
y=e= strete he askyd of dyuers men where one master Pyspot dwellyd
whych sayd they knew no such ma~ & laught at hym apace .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,15.204)

At last one askyd him whether it were not master Jordayn y=e= physycio~
. (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,15.205)

ye y=e= same quod ye husbandma~ (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,15.206)

for I wot well a iordayn & a pyspot is all one .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,15.207)

So whe~ they had shewyd hym hys house he we~t thyder
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,15.208)

& ca~ to hym (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,15.209)

& dyd hys era~d thys (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,15.210)

& sayd | Syr if it <P_16> please your mashyp I vnderstand ye ar callyd
a conyng confusyon : (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,16.211)

So it is my wyfe is syk & omnypotent & may not go
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,16.212)

& here I haue brought you her water (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,16.213)

I besech you do your corage vppon her (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,16.214)

& I shall gyue your mashyp a good reward : (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,16.215)

The phesycio~ p~seynyng by the water y=t= she was weke of nature bad
hym get her mete y=t= were restoratyue (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,16.216)

& specyally if he coud let her haue a pou~dgarnet & to let her not
ouercome her stomak w=t= mych mete tyll she haue an apetyte .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,16.217)

Thys husba~dma~ herd him speke of a poundgarnet & an apetite
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,16.218)

had wend he had spoken of a pound of garlyk and of an ape
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,16.219)

& shortly bought a pound of garlyk (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,16.220)

& after went to the stylyard (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,16.221)

& bought an ape of one of the marchantys & brought both home to hys
wyfe (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,16.222)

and tyed the ape w=t= a cheyn at hys beddys fete |
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,16.223)

& made hys wyfe to ete the pound of garlyk whether she wolde or no |
whereby she fell in so great a lask that it purgyd all the corrupcio~
out of her body whereby & by reso~ y=t= the ape that was tyde ther made
so many mokkys skyppys & knakkys that made her oftymys to be mery &
laugh that , thankyd be god she was shortly restoryd to helth .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,16.224)

By thys tale ye may se that oft tymys medesyns taken at aduenturys do
as mich good to the Pacyent as medesyns geuen by the solempne cou~cell
of conyng physycyons . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,16.225)

<P_17>

<heading>

VIII . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,17.228)

<font> Of the scoler that bare his shoys to cloutyng . </font>
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,17.229)

</heading>

In the vnyuersyte of Oxonford there was a skoler y=t= delytyd mich to
speke eloquent english & curious termis | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,17.231)

And ca~ to y=e= cobler wyth hys shoys whych were pikid before as they
vsyd y=t= seson to haue them cloutyd (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,17.232)

& sayd thys wyse | Cobler I pray the set me .ii. tryangyls & .ii. semy
cercles vppon my subpedytals (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,17.233)

& I shall gyue the for thy labor | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,17.234)

This cobler because he vnderstode hym not half well a~swerid shortly
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,17.235)

& sayd | Syr youre eloquence passith myne i~telligence |
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,17.236)

but I promyse you yf ye meddyll wyth me | the clowtyng of your shone
shall coste you .iij. pence . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,17.237)

By thys tale me~ may lerne yt it is foly to study to speke eloque~tly
before them that be rude & vnlernyd . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,17.238)

<P_22>

<heading>

XII . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,22.241)

<font> Of the mylner with the golden thombe . </font>
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,22.242)

</heading>

A merchant that thought to deride a myllner seyd vnto y=e= mylner
syttyng among company . Sir I haue hard say that euery trew mylner that
tollythe trewlye hath a gyldeyn thombe | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,22.244)

the mylner answeryd & seyd it was trewth | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,22.245)

Then quod the merchaunt I pray the let me se thy thomb |
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,22.246)

& when the mylner shewyd hys thomb the merchaunt sayd I can not
perceyue y=t= thy thombe is gylt | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,22.247)

but yt ys but as all other mennys tho~bis be | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,22.248)

to whom the mylner answeryd & seyd | Syr trothe yt ys that my tho~b is
gylt how be it ye haue no power to se it | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,22.249)

for ther is a properte euer incide~t therto y=t= he y=t= ys a cokecold
shall neuer haue power to se yt . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,22.250)

<P_37>

<heading>

XIX . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,37.253)

<font> Of the iiii. eleme~tys where they shulde sone be found . </font>
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,37.254)

</heading>

In y=e= old world when all thyng coud speke y=e= iiii. elementys met
togeder for many thyngys whych they had to <P_38> do because they must
medyll alway one with a nother : (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,38.256)

& had co~municacio~ to geder of dyuers matters (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,38.257)

& because they coud not conclude all theyr maters at y=t= season they
appoyntyd to breke comunycacyon for y=t= tyme & to mete agayn a nother
tyme | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,38.258)

therfore ech one of the~ shewyd to other wher theyre most abydyng was &
where theyr felows shuld fynd them if nede shuld requyre :
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,38.259)

& furst y=e= yerth sayd brethern ye know well as for me I am p~mane~t
alway & not remouable (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,38.260)

therfor ye $may $be {TEXT:maybe} sure to haue me alway whan ye lyst .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,38.261)

The water seyd yf ye lyste to seke me ye $shall $be {TEXT:shalbe} sure
euer to haue me vnder a toft of grene rushys or ellys in a womans eye .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,38.262)

The wynde sayd yf ye lyst to seke me ye $shall $be {TEXT:shalbe} sure
euer to haue me amonge aspyn leuys or els in a womans tong .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,38.263)

Then quod the fyre yf any of you lyst to seke me : ye shall euer be
sure to fynd me in a flynt stone or els in a womans hart .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,38.264)

By thys tale ye may lerne aswell the propertes of y=e= .iiii. elementys
as ther properte of a woman . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,38.265)

<P_41>

<heading>

XXI . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,41.268)

<font> Of the weddyd men that cam to heuyn to clayme theyr herytage .
</font> (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,41.269)

</heading>

A certayne weddyd man there was whyche whan he was dede ca~ to heuen
gatys to saynt Peter & sayd he ca~ to claym his herytage which he had
deseruyd . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,41.271)

Saynt Peter askyd hym what he was | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,41.272)

& he sayd a weddyd ma~ | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,41.273)

anon Seynt peter openyd y=e= gatys (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,41.274)

& bad hym come in (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,41.275)

& sayd he was worthy to haue hys herytage because he had had much
trobyll & was worthy to haue a crowne of glory .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,41.276)

Anon after y=t= there cam a nother man that claymyd <P_42> heuyn | &
sayd to Seynt Peter he had had .ii. wyuys to whom Seynt peter a~sweryd
and sayd come in (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,42.277)

for thou art worthy to haue a doble crown of glory |
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,42.278)

for thou hast had doble troble | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,42.279)

at y=e= last there cam a thyrd claymyng heuen (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,42.280)

& sayd to Saynt peter that he had had .iii. wyuys & desyryd to come in
| (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,42.281)

what quod Seynte Peter thou hast bene onys in troble & therof delyueryd
| (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,42.282)

and then wyllyngly woldyst be trobyld agayn (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,42.283)

& yet agayn thereof delyueryd | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,42.284)

& for all y=t= couldest not beware y=e= thyrde tyme |
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,42.285)

but enterest wyllyngely in trobyll agayne (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,42.286)

therefore go thy way to hell (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,42.287)

for thou shalte neuer come in heuen (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,42.288)

for thou arte not worthy . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,42.289)

Thys tale is a warnyng to them that haue bene twyse in parell to beware
how they come therin the thyrd tyme . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,42.290)

<heading>

XXII . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,42.292)

<font> Of the merchaunte that chargyd hys sonne to fynde one to synge
for hys sowle . </font> (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,42.293)

</heading>

<P_43>

A rych merchant of london there was which had but one sonne y=t= was
somewhat vnthryfty (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,43.296)

therefore his fader vppon hys deth bed called hym to hym
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,43.297)

& seyd he knew well y=t= he had ben vnthrifty (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,43.298)

howbeit yf he knew he wold amend hys condicio~s he wolde make hym his
executoure & leue hym his goodys so y=t= he wold promyse to praye for
his sowle : & to fynde one dayly to syng for hym | whyche thyng to
performe hys son there made a faythfull promyse .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,43.299)

After y=t= thys ma~ made hym hys executoure (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,43.300)

& dyed | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,43.301)

But after that hys son~e kept such ryot y=t= in short tyme he had
wasted & spend all & had nothynge left but a hen & a cok that was hys
faders . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,43.302)

It fortunyd than that one of hys <P_44> Frendys came to hym & sayd he
was sory y=t= he had wastyd so mych & askyde hym how he woulde p~form
hys p~myse made to hys father y=t= he wold kepe one to sing for him .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,44.303)

Thys yong man a~sweryd & sayd by god yet I wyll performe my promyse |
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,44.304)

for I wyll kepe thys same cok alyue styll (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,44.305)

and he wyll krowe euery daye (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,44.306)

and so he shall synge euery day for my faders sowle |
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,44.307)

& so I wyll performe my promyse well ynough . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,44.308)

By thys ye may se that it is wysdome for a man to do good dedys hym
self whyle he is here & not to trust to the prayer and promys of hys
executours . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,44.309)

<heading>

XXIII . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,44.311)

<font> Of the mayd washyng clothys and answered the frere . </font>
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,44.312)

</heading>

There was a mayde stode by a ryuers syde in her smok washynge clothys .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,44.314)

And as she stoupyd oft tymys in her smokke cleuyd betwene her butukkes
| (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,44.315)

By whome there came a frere seynge her (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,44.316)

and sayd in sport . Mayd mayde take hede (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,44.317)

for Bayard bytys on the <P_45> brydyll . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,45.318)

Nay wys master frere quod the mayden (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,45.319)

he doth but wype hys mouth (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,45.320)

and wenyth ye wyll come & kysse hym . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,45.321)

By thys ye may se that a womans answer is neuer to seke .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,45.322)

<heading>

XXIV . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,45.324)

<font> Of the .iii. wyse men of gotam . </font> (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,45.325)

</heading>

A certayn man there was dwellynge in a towne callyd Gotam which went to
a fayre .iii. myle of to by shepe | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,45.327)

& as he cam ouer a brydge he met w=t= one of hys neybours
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,45.328)

& told him whether he went | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,45.329)

& he askyd hym whych way he wold bryng the~ | whych sayd he wold bri~g
the~ ouer the same brydge | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,45.330)

nay quod the other ma~ but thou shalt not | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,45.331)

by god quod he but I wyll | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,45.332)

y=e= other agayn said he shuld not | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,45.333)

& he agayn said he wold bryng them ouer spyte of his teth
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,45.334)

& so fell at wordys | & at the last to buffertys that eche one knokkyd
other well about the heddys w=t= theyre fystys . To <P_46> whom there
cam a thyrd man which was a mylner wyth a sak of mele vppo~ a horse a
neybour of theyrs (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,46.335)

& partyd them (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,46.336)

& askyd the~ what was the cause of theyr varyaunce |
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,46.337)

whych then shewyd hym the matter & cause as ye haue harde |
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,46.338)

Thys thyrd man the mylner thought to rebuke theyr folyshnes with a
famylyer example (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,46.339)

& toke hys sak of mele from his hors bak (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,46.340)

& openyd it (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,46.341)

& pouryd all the mele in the sak ouer the bridge into the ronyng riuer
wherby all the mele was lost (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,46.342)

& sayd thus . By my trouth neybors because ye stryue for dryuyng ouer
the brydge those shepe which be not yet bought nor wot not wher they be
| me thynkyth therfore there is euyn as mych wyt in your heddys as
there is mele in my sak . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,46.343)

Thys tale shewyth you that some man takyth vppo~ hym to shew other men
wysdome when he is but a fole hym self . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,46.344)

<P_47>

<heading>

XXV . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,47.347)

<font> Of the gray frere that answeryd his penytent . </font>
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,47.348)

</heading>

A man there was that came to confesse hym self to a gray frere
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,47.350)

& shroue him that he had layne with a yong gentilwoma~ |
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,47.351)

y=e= frere than askyd hym in what place | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,47.352)

& he said it was in a goodly cha~ber all nyght lo~g in a softe warme
bed | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,47.353)

The frere heryng that shruggyd in hys clothys (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,47.354)

& sayd | now by swete seynt fraunces then wast thou verye well at ease
. (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,47.355)

<heading>

XXVI . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,47.357)

<font> Of the gentylman that bare the sege borde on his nek . </font>
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,47.358)

</heading>

A chandeler bei~g a wydower dwelli~g at holborne brige in lo~do~ had a
fayre doughter | whom a yo~g gentylman of dauys Inne woyd gretly to
haue hys pleasure of her | whych by long sute to her made at <P_48>
y=e= last grau~tyd him & poyntyd hym to co~e vppo~ a night to her
faders house in y=e= euenyng (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,48.360)

& she wold conuey him into her cha~ber secretly whych was an inner
chamber wythin her faders cha~ber | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,48.361)

so accordi~g to y=e= poi~tme~t all thi~g was p~formyd So y=t= he lay
w=t= her all nyght & made good chere tyll about .iiii. a clok i~ y=e=
morni~g | at which time it fortunyd this yo~g ge~tylma~ fell a coughi~g
| whych ca~ vppo~ hym so sore y=t= he could not refrayn .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,48.362)

Thys yong wench then fering her fader that lay in the next chau~ber bad
hym go put hys hed in the draught lest y=t= her fader shuld here him :
which after her councell rose in hys shyrt & so dyd |
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,48.363)

but the~ because of the fauor of the draught it causyd hym to cough
mich more & louder that y=e= we~chis fader hard hym & askyd of hys
doughter what man was that y=t= coughid i~ her cha~ber |
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,48.364)

she answeryd & sayd no body . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,48.365)

But euer thys yo~g ma~ coughid styll more & more whom the fader heryng
seyd | by goddys body here thou lyest (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,48.366)

I wyll se who hys there (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,48.367)

& rose out of hys bed . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,48.368)

Thys wench perceyuyng her fader rysyng cam <P_49> to the gentylma~
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,49.369)

& sayd take hede syr to your self (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,49.370)

my fader comyth . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,49.371)

Thys gentylman sode~ly therwyth abashyd wolde haue pullyd hys hed out
of the drawght hole whych was very streyte for hys hed that he pullyd
the sege bord vp therwyth | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,49.372)

& hangyng about hys nek ran vppon the fader beyng an old man
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,49.373)

& gaue hym a gret fall | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,49.374)

& bare hym down (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,49.375)

& hurt hys arme | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,49.376)

& openyd the dorys (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,49.377)

& ra~ into y=e= strete wyth y=e= draught borde about hys nek toward
dauys Inne as fast as he could . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,49.378)

This we~ch for fere ra~ out of her faders house (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,49.379)

& ca~ not there a moneth after . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,49.380)

Thys gentylman as he ran vppon holborne brydge met w=t= a colyers cart
laden w=t= colys where there was .ii. or .iii. skyttysh horsys | which
when they saw thys gentylman ro~nyng start asyde & threw down y=e= cart
wyth colys | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,49.381)

& drew it asyde (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,49.382)

& brake y=e= cart rope | wherby the colys fell out some in one place
some in an other | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,49.383)

& after the horsys brake theyr trasys (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,49.384)

& ran some toward smythfeld & some toward newgate that the colyer ra~
after them (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,49.385)

& was a~ howre & more or he coud get his horse to geder agayn | By
whych tyme the people of the strete were rysen and ca~ to y=e= strete &
saw yt strawyd wyth colys (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,49.386)

euery one for hys part gaderyd vp the <P_50> colys : that y=e= most
part of the colys were gone or the colyer had got hys horsys .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,50.387)

But duryng thys whyle the ge~tylman we~t thorow seynt andrews
chyrchyard toward dauys Inne | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,50.388)

& there met wyth the sexte~ comyng to church to ri~g to morrow mas :
whych when he saw the gentylman in the churchyarde in hys shyrt w=t=
the draght bord about hys nek | had we~d it had ben a spryt :
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,50.389)

& cryed alas alas a spryt (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,50.390)

& ran bak agayn to hys house almost at y=e= barrys
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,50.391)

& for fere was almost out of hys wyt y=t= he was y=e= worse halfe a
yere after . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,50.392)

Thys gentlman than because dauys Inne gatys were not open went on the
bak syde (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,50.393)

& lept ouer the garden wall | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,50.394)

but in lepyng the sege bord so trobled hym that he fell down in to the
garden & had almost broke~ his nek & there ley styll tyll $y=t= the
pri~cipall cam in to the gardyn | whych when he saw hym ly there had
wend som man had be slayne & there cast ouer y=e= wall and durst not
come nye him tyll he had callyd vp hys company | whych when many of the
gentylmen wher come to gether | lokyd well vppo~ him and knew hym &
after releuyd hym | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,50.395)

But the borde <P_51> y=t= was about hys nek causyd hys hed so to swell
that they coud not get it of tyll they were fayne to cutte it of with
hatchettys . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,51.396)

Thus was the wench well Jap~yd | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,51.397)

& for fere she ran fro~ her fader | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,51.398)

her faders arme was hurt (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,51.399)

the colyar lost his colys (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,51.400)

the sexte~ was almost out of his wyt | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,51.401)

& the gentylman had almost broke his neck . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,51.402)

<heading>

XXVII . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,51.404)

<font> Of the marchau~tys wyfe that seyd she wolde take a nap at sermon
. </font> (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,51.405)

</heading>

A marchantys wyfe ther was in bowe parysh in london some what stept in
age to who~ her mayd cam on a sonday in lent after dyner & sayd |
maystres quod she they ryng at seynt Thomas of acres
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,51.407)

for ther shall be a sermo~ prechyd anon | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,51.408)

to whom the maystres answerd & sayd mary goddys blyssyng on thy hart
for warnyng me therof (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,51.409)

& because I slept <P_52> not well all this night I pray the brynge my
stole with me (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,52.410)

for I wyll go thyder to loke wether I can take a nap there whyle the
prest is prechyng . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,52.411)

By this ye may se that many on goth to churche as moche for other
thyngys as for deuocyon . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,52.412)

<heading>

XXVIII . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,52.414)

<font> Of the woman that seyd & she lyffyd a nother yere she wolde haue
a kokoldis hat of her owne . </font> (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,52.415)

</heading>

Ther was a certayn company of women gatheryd to geder in co~munycacion
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,52.417)

one happenyd thus to say her pyggys after they were farowyd dyed and
wolde not lyue (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,52.418)

and one olde wyfe of her accoyntance heryng her say so bad her get a
cockoldys Hat and put the pyggys therin a whyle after they were
farrowyd (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,52.419)

and they sholde lyue | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,52.420)

whych wyfe intendyng to do after her counsell came to one of her
gossyppys (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,52.421)

and shewyd her what medecyne was taught her for her pyggys
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,52.422)

& prayd her to lend her her husbandys hat | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,52.423)

whych answeryd her angerly and sayd I wold <P_53> thou knewyst it
Drabbe (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,53.424)

I haue none (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,53.425)

for my husbande is no cookold (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,53.426)

for I am a good woman (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,53.427)

and so lyke wyse euery wyfe answeryd her in lyke maner that she
departyd from many of them in anger and skoldynge |
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,53.428)

But when she sawe she coude get none she came agayne to her gossyppys
all angerly (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,53.429)

and sayd I haue gone round about to borrow a cookoldys hat
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,53.430)

and I can get none wherefore yf I lyue another yere I wyll haue one of
myn own and be out of my neyghbours daunger . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,53.431)

By this tale a man may lerne that it is more wysdome for a man to trust
more to his owne store than to his neyghbours gentylnes .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,53.432)

<heading>

XXIX . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,53.434)

<font> Of the gentylman that wyshyd his toth in the gentylwomans tayle
. </font> (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,53.435)

</heading>

A gentylman & a gentylwoman sat togeder talkyn whiche gentylman had
gret payn in one of his teth . & hapnyd to say to the ge~tylwoman thus
. (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,53.437)

I wys mastres I haue a toth i~ my hed which greuyth me very sore
wherfore I wold yt were in your tale . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,53.438)

She heryng hym saying so . answeryd thus <P_54> In good fayth syr if
your toth were in my tale it coud do yt but lytell good |
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,54.439)

but if there be any thynge in my tale that can do your toth good I wold
yt were in your toth . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,54.440)

By this ye may se that a womans answer is seldome to seke .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,54.441)

<heading>

XXX . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,54.443)

<font> Of the welchman that confessyd hym how he had slayn a frere .
</font> (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,54.444)

</heading>

In the tyme of lent a welchman cam to be confessyd of hys curat whych
in hys co~fessyon sayd that he had kyllyd a frere | to who~ the curat
sayd he coude not assoyle hym | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,54.446)

yet quod the welchma~ yf thou knewest all thou woldest assoyle me well
enough | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,54.447)

& when the curat co~mandyd hym to shew hym all the case he sayd thus |
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,54.448)

mary ther wer ii freres (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,54.449)

& I might haue slayn them both yf I had lyst (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,54.450)

but I let one skape (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,54.451)

therfore master curat set the tone agaynst the tother
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,54.452)

& then the offence ys not so great but ye may assoyle me well ynough .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,54.453)

By this ye may se that dyuers menne haue so euyll & large co~scyens
that they thynke yf they do one good dede or refrayne from the doynge
<P_55> of one euyll synne that yt ys a satysfaccyon for other synnis
and offencys . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,55.454)

<heading>

XXXI . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,55.456)

<font> Of the welchman that coude not get but a lytyll male . </font>
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,55.457)

</heading>

There was a company of ge~tylmen in northa~tonshyre whych went to hunte
for deere in the porlews in the gollet besyde stony stratford | Among
which gentylmen ther was one which had a walche man to his syruaunte a
good archer | whiche when they came to a place where they thought they
shold haue game | they made a stondyng and poynted thys welchman to
stand by a tre nygh the hye way and bad hym in any wyse to take hede
that he shot at no raskall nor medle nat without it were a male & yf it
were a male to spare not | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,55.459)

wel quod this walchman let me alone . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,55.460)

And whan this walchman had stande there a whyle he sawe moche dere
co~mynge | as well of Auntelere as of Rascall | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,55.461)

but eur he let them go (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,55.462)

and toke no hede to theym . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,55.463)

<P_56>

And within an howre after he saw come rydyng in the hye way a man of
the countrey which had a boget hangynge at hys sadyll bowe .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,56.465)

And whan this walche man had espyed hym he bad hym stand
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,56.466)

& began to drawe his bow (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,56.467)

and bad hym deliuer that lyttyll male that hynge at this sadell bowe |
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,56.468)

Thys man for fere of hys lyfe was glad to delyuer hym his boget |
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,56.469)

& so dyd (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,56.470)

& than rode his way (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,56.471)

& was glad he was so eskapyd . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,56.472)

And whan this man of the countrey was gon thys welchman was very glad
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,56.473)

& went incontynent to seke his master (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,56.474)

& at last founde hym with his company | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,56.475)

and wha~ he sawe hym he come to hym (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,56.476)

& sayd thus | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,56.477)

Master by cottys plut & her nayle I haue stande yonder thys two howrys
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,56.478)

and I cowd se neuer a male but a lytell male that a man had hangyng at
his sadell bow | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,56.479)

& that I haue gotten | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,56.480)

& lo here it is | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,56.481)

and toke his master the boget whych he had taken away from the forsayd
man | for the whyche dede bothe the master & the seruant were
afterwarde in great trouble . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,56.482)

By thys ye may lerne yt ys gret foly for a master to put a seruant to
that besynes wherof he can nothing skyll and wherin he hath nat be vsyd
. (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,56.483)

<P_57>

<heading>

XXXII . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,57.486)

<font> Of the gentyll woman that sayd to a gentylman ye haue a berde a
boue & none benethe . </font> (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,57.487)

</heading>

A yonge gentylman of the age of .xx. yere some whate dysposyd to myrth
and game on a tyme talkyd with a gentylwoman which was right wyse and
also mery . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,57.489)

this gentyll woman as she talkyd with hym happenyd to loke vppon his
berde | whiche was but yong and growen some what vppon the ouer lyppe
and but lyttyll growen beneth as all yonge mennys berdys co~monly vse
to growe (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,57.490)

sayd to hym thus . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,57.491)

Syr ye haue a berde aboue and none beneth . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,57.492)

and he herynge her say so | sayd in sporte mastres ye haue a berde
benethe and none aboue | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,57.493)

mary quod she | then set the tone agaynst the tother | which answere
made the gentylman so abashyd that he had not one worde to answer .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,57.494)

<P_58>

<heading>

XXXIII . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,58.497)

<font> Of the frere that sayd our lord fed .v. M. peple with .ij.
fyshys . </font> (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,58.498)

</heading>

There was a certayn white frere which was a very glotton and a great
nyggyn whyche had an vngracyouse boy that euer folowyd hym and bare hys
cloke | (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,58.500)

and what for the frerys glottony & for his chorlyshnes the boy where he
went coude skant get mete inough (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,58.501)

for the frere wolde eet almoste all hym selfe . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,58.502)

But on a tyme the frere made a sermon in the co~trey wherin he touchyde
very many myracles whiche cryst dyd afore his passyon amonge whiche he
specyalli rehersyde the myracle that cryste dyd in fedynge fyue
thousande people wythe fyue louys of brede and with iij lyttell fyshys
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,58.503)

and thys frerys boy which caryd not gretely for hys master herynge hym
say so and consyderyng that his master was so great a churle and
glotton answered with a loude voyce that all the church hard
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,58.504)

& sayd by my trouth mayster | Then there were no fryers there . whiche
answere made all the people to fall on suche a lawghynge that for shame
the frere wente out of the pulpet . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,58.505)

and as <P_59> for the frerys boy he than departyd out of the church
that the frere neuer saw hym after . (MERRYTAL-E1-P1,59.506)

By thys ye may se that it is honesty for a ma~ that is at mete to
depart with suche as he has to them that be present .
(MERRYTAL-E1-P1,59.507)