The Merrie historie, of the thrie friers of Ber[wic]ke This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A20970 of text S357 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 7349.5). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 31 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 10 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2018 A20970 STC 7349.5 ESTC S357 22302602 ocm 22302602 25366 2240953734

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Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A20970) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 25366) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1751:13) The Merrie historie, of the thrie friers of Ber[wic]ke Dunbar, William, 1460?-1520? 19 p. By Edvvard Raban, for David Melvill, Printed at Aberdene : 1622 In verse. Running title: The three friers of Berwicke. Sometimes attributed to William Dunbar--Cf. STC (2nd ed.). Signatures: A-B⁴ C². Imperfect: stained and torn, with some loss of print. Reproduction of original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery. eng eebo The merrie historie, of the thrie friers of Berwicke. [no entry] 1622 19 5767 283 0 0 0 0 0 490.72 F The rate of 490.72 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the F category of texts with 100 or more defects per 10,000 words. 2002-04 Assigned for keying and markup 2002-05 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2002-06 Sampled and proofread 2002-06 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-07 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

THE MERRIE HISTORIE , OF THE THRIE FRIERS OF BER●●●KE .

Printed at Aberdene , By Edward Raban , For David Melvill , 1622.

THE THREE FRIERS OF BERWICKE . AS it befell , and happened in déede , Upon a River , which is called Twéede : At Twéedes faire Mouth , there standes a Noble Towne , Where manie Lordes have béene , of great Renowne : And manie a worthie Ladie , fayre of Face : And manie a fresh lustie Gallant was : Into this Towne , which called is Berwicke , Upon the Sea there standeth none it like . For it well Walled is about with Stone : And double Stankes are casten , manie one . And then the Cas●le is so strong , and wight : With statelie Towers , and Turrets on the hight . The Car-Walles closed craftilie : with-all , The 〈…〉 most subtillie to fall , 〈…〉 they please to draw them up on hight : 〈…〉 Folkes by anie kinde of Might 〈◊〉 winne the same , by Craft , or Subtiltie . 〈…〉 within is fayre Artille●ie . 〈…〉 my dayes , where ever I have beene , 〈…〉 , most goodlie , and most well beseene : 〈◊〉 Towne , the Water , the Castell , and the Land : 〈◊〉 Ualleyes greene , upon the other hand . 〈◊〉 gr●●t Crosse Kirke , and éeke the Maison Dew : Th● Iacobines , they Friers are of whyte hew . The Carmelites , and the Minouries éeke : The foure Orders of Friers were not to séeke , These Friers were in Berwicks Town once dwelling , Where as it hapned in a fayre May Morning , That two of the Iacobine Milke-whyte Friers , As they were wont , and used manie yeares , To walke amongst their Brethren up on Land . Those sillie Friers passed foorth from hand . Fri●● Allane was one : Frier Robert the other : As Friers fashion is , with Wyves could well gloother . Right wonderous well they pleased the Wyves : And tolde them fayre Tales , of Holie Sainctes lyves : Till Night was at hand , and they should goe home . But right tyred , and wet , was Frier Allane . For hée was olde , and might not well travell , Because hee had some spyce of the Gravell . Frier Robert was young , could byde Raine and Winde : H●e bare both their Gownes , yet bode not behinde . Yea , bore all their Geare : ●or hee was full wight . By that it drew neare towardes the Night : And they were comming to the Towne full neare . Frier Allane sayde , Robert , good Brother deare , It is so late , I feare the Yate bee closed : And wee are tyrde , and wondrous ill disposed To 〈◊〉 out of the Towne : except that wee 〈…〉 House this 〈…〉 So there did dwell a wondrous good Hostl●er●● Without Berwicke , in-to a fayre Manniere : Simon Lawrell hee called was by name : A fayre blythe Wyfe hee had , and comelie Dame : But shee was something duike , and dangerous . These sillie Friers came then to that Mans House ; Saluting her : and becked courteouslie : And shee to them did answere perfectlie . Frier Robert then inquirde for the Good-man ? And in this wyse shee quicklie answered than : Hee went from Home , GOD wots , on Wedn●sday , In the Countrey , to seeke for Corne and Hay , And other thinges , where-of wee stand in neede . Frier Allane ●ayde , I pray Great GOD him speede , And keepe him safe and sound in his travaile . Frier Robert sayde , Dame fill a Stoupe with Aile , That wée may drinke : for I am wondrous drye . With that the Good-wyfe went full spéedilye , And filde the Stoupe , and brought them Bread and Chiese● They ate , and dranke , and sate at their owne ease . Frier Allane sayde to the Good-wyfe in hye , Come hither , Dame , and set you downe mee by , And fill once againe the Stoupe , I you pray , Before wee goe full well wee will you pay . The Friers were blythe , and merrie Tales ●ould tell . But even with that they heard their owne Prayer Bell , Within the Abbie , and were sore agast , For then they knew the Yates were closed fast , That they might not from thence-foorth get entrie . The Good-wyfe then they prayde for Charitie , To graunt them Lodging , on●lie for one night . But shee to them did aunswere high on hight , Mine Husband is from Home , as I you tolde : And I , GOD knowes , dare no wayes bee so bolde , To harber Friers within the House with mee . What would 〈◊〉 Simo● 〈◊〉 ✚ Benedicitie● ✚ ✚ 〈…〉 I durst never looke intill his Face : 〈…〉 Ladie Mari● kéepe mée from such a case : 〈…〉 of perrill , and from Shame . 〈…〉 Frier Allan● sayde , Fayre Dame , 〈◊〉 Gods sake heare mée , what I soone shall say , 〈…〉 us out , wée shall bée dead ere day . 〈◊〉 way is ill , and wée are tyrde , and wet : 〈…〉 know ) it is so verie late : Th● 〈…〉 closde , that wee can not get in : 〈…〉 in no cas● wee may win . 〈…〉 it doeth behoove us to byde still , And put us whollie , Dame , in-to your will . The Good-wyfe looked on those Friers tway , And at the last unto them did shee say : Yee byde not heere , by Him that hath us coft , Except yee list to lye up in yonde Loft , Which is well wrought even in-to the Halles ende : Yee shall finde Straw , and Cloathes I shall you sende . If yee list not , then passe your wayes in feire : None other wayes will I repaire you hee●e . ●er Mayden then shee sendeth up before , And ●ade them follow both , and stay no more . They were full blythe , and did as shee them kende , And up they went , to lodge at the Halles ende . Intill a Loft , the Mayde with Corne and Hay , Did make their Bedde : and then shee went her way , Closing the Trappe : and they remayned still . In to that Lo●t they had not all their will . Frier Allane lay downe , as hee best might . Frier Robert sayde , I vowde to walke this Night : Who wots ? perchance some Sportes I may espye . Thus in the Loft I let the Friers lye , And of the Good-wyfe nowe will I spea●●●ore . Shee was right glad the Friers were closde ther● For shee had made a Tryst that selfe-same Night , Frier Iohn her Love his Supper for to dight . And shee would have none other Companye , Because Frier Iohn that Night with her should lye : Who dwelling was in-to that selfe-same Towne : And a Blacke Frier hee was , of great Renowne . Hee governed all whole the Abbacie : Silver and Golde hee had aboundantlie . Hee had a privie Posterne of his owne , That hee might ishe , and passe away unknowne But thus in Berwickes Towne I leave him still , Byding his tyme : and turne againe I will , To this fayre Wyfe . Now shée the Fyre 〈…〉 And throng the fattest Capons on the Spitte : And éeke fatte Conies to the Fyre shee say : And bade her Mayden , in all haste shee may , To flame , and turne , and roast them tenderlye : Then to her Chamber is shee gone in hye . Shee pulde her Makin , gave it buffets tway Upon the Cheeke : and till it can shee say , Thou shouldst bee blythe , and gladde at my Request : These Mulles of thine are called to a Feast . Shee putteth on a Kirtle fyne of Redde : A fayre whyte Courtch shee bindes about her Head . Her Belt was wrought of Silke , and Silver fyne : Embrodred Purse : her Keyes hung clincking syne . On everie Finger shee put on Ringes two : And was as proude as anie Papingo . Shee layde on a Board-cloath of costlie Greene : Of Silver-Worke shee was full well fore-séene . Then foorth shee came , in-to the Hall , anone , And askt her Mayde , if shee heard anie one ? With that Frier Iohn was knocking at the Yate : Whose knocke shée knew , and quicklie him in let . Shée well-comde him upon a good manniere . 〈◊〉 her : and sayde , Mine owne Love deare , H●●●e there a paire of Bottles , good , and fyne : They holde a gallon ( full ) of Gascoin Wyne . 〈…〉 pa●●● of Partri●h , even new slaine : 〈◊〉 a ●aund full Bread , of fynest Maine . This ha●e I brought to you , mine onelie Deare : That you and I there-with might make good Cheare . Since it is so that Simon is from Home , I will talke right homelie with you , Madame . Shee ●ayeth , Yee are full heartli● well-come heere● In such a wyse , when that you will appeare . ●ith that shee smyled wondrous love●omlie . Againe hee thrust her Hand right privilie . Thus at their Spor●e I will them yet leave still , Till other tyme : and turne againe I will , And tell you of those ●illie Friers two . Were locked in the Loft , amongst the Straw . Frier Allane on his Cou●h ●ull still did lye . Frier Robert had a little jealousye : For in his Heart hee had great perceiving : And through the Boardes hee mad● ( with some sharpe thing ) A little Hole , in such a wyse got hee , That all they did below hee could well see : Yea , ●verie worde hee heard which they did say : When shee was proude , and wondrous fresh , and gay . And what shee wo●re upon her Head above . Shee called him both Lemman , Heart , and Love . Full Prelate-lyke hee sate in to the Chaire : And shee did round Epistles in his Eare. Thus sporte they them , and make great Melodie . And when shee saw the Supper was r●adie , Shee quicklie went , and de●kt the Board anone : And then the paire of Bottels hath shee tane , And set them ●●wne , upon the Board , her by . And even with that they heard the Good-man cry : Who knocked at the Yate , and shouted fast . When they him heard , then were they all agast . And good Frier Iohn was something in effray : Full soone start up , and would have beene away . But all for nought : hee might no way win out● The Good-wyfe spak● then with a visage stout , Yonde is Simon , tha● makes all this deray , Whom I might tho●e had bidden yet away . I le quyte him this , if I live halfe a yeare , For troubling us , when wee sho●ld make good Cheare . Because of him wee may not byde together : I doe repent at this tyme yee came hither . Wee were so well , if hee had bidden away . What shall I doe ? Alace , Frier Iohn can say . The Good-wyfe sayde , I holde it for the best , That I you hyde , till hee bee brought to rest , In-to yonde Trogh , which ●tandeth in the Nooke , Would holde sixe Bowles of Me●le when that shee booke . There-under then shee ca●sde him creepe in hye , Where hee had rowme enough a ease to lye . Shee closed him , and then wen● on her way ? And to her Mayden softlie can hee say , Take way this Geare , and s●aken out the Fyrs : Goe , close the Boarde , and take away yonde Chayre . Soone , locke up all , with-in the Panterie : Both Meate , and Drinke : ha done full speedilie . The Comes , Capons , and th● wylde Fowles fyne : The Maine-shot Bread , the ●ottels with the Wyne . Shee lockt up all , and ●ight ●he House so cleane , That no lykenesse of Feast ●ight there bee seene . The Good-wyfe then , with-●ut longer delay , Did quicklie put off all her ●●esh Array : And then shee went in-to her Bedde anone , And let her Husband knòcke with-out , alone . UUhen hee with knocking tyred was , 〈◊〉 ●ryde , And went about un-to the o●her syde : Unto a Window , stoode at her Beddes-head , Saying , Alison , awake , for CHRISTES dead . When Allison had th olde him long to crye , As halfe a-sléepe , shee answearde crabbedlye , How ? Who is that , that knowes so well my name ? Goe hence , quod shee , mine Husband is from Home . And I will harber heere no Guestes , P●rfay : Therefore , I pray you , wende on , wende on , your way : For at this time yee may not lodged bee . Then Simon spake , Deare Wyfe , ken yee not mee ? I am your Simon , God-man of this Place . Are yee that , Simon ? my Spouse , shee sayes , Alace ! Through miss-knowledge I had almost miss-done . Who would have thought yee should so late come Home ? Shee starteth up , and getteth Light in hye , And openeth then the Yate full speedilye . Shee let him in on the most heartlie wyse , And tooke from him th● Geare , as was the guyse . Hee bade the Mayden 〈◊〉 on the Fyre , And get him 〈…〉 shee should have good Hyre . The Good-wyfe s●●de , Sweet Simon yee may trow , Heere is no Meate this ●ight that gaines for you . At least , Good Dame , g●e fetch mee Chiese and Bread : Goe fill the Stoope , and holde it to mine Head . For I am hungrie , wearie , wette , and colde . Then up shee rose , ( as Reason bade shee should : ) Covered the Boarde , an● set on Bread of Rye : A sowst Neats foote , a Sheepes head set shee by . Even such colde Meate shee brought to him belyve , And filde the Stoupe . 〈◊〉 Simon waxed blythe . Hée ate , and dranke , and ●●●de , By All-hollow , I fare right well , had I b●● one Good Fellow . Dame , drinke with mee , a●d eate , I doe you pray . The Good-wyfe sayde , Th● Devill-a-bitte I may : It were more meete now in your Bedde to bee , Than heere to sit , desyring Companie . Frier Robert sayde unto his Brother deare , Alace , I would the Good-man kende us heere . Who wots ? Perchaunce some better might hee fare . For sure it is , mine Heart will aye bee sore , If yonde course meate with Simon birnis●● 〈◊〉 , While daintie Cheare sta●des in the Panterie . And with that worde hee coached lowde anone . Till Simon heard , and asked , Who is yonde ? The Good-wyfe sayde , Yonde are your Friers twey . Quoth Simon then , Tell mee what Frier● are they ? She sayde , Frier Robert , and sillie olde Allane , Who all this day have walked in great paine . UUhen they came heere it was so verie late , Prayer Bell was rung , and closed was their Yate : There-fore above I gave them Harberie . The Good-man sayde , So GOD have parte on mee , The selfe-same Friers are heartlie well-come hither : Goe call them downe , that 〈◊〉 may drinke together . The Good-wyfe sayde , I 〈…〉 let them bee : They had rather sleepe , nor sit in ●●●panie . Unto the Mayden spake the Good-man than , Goe , pray them both to come to mee fr●● hand . The Mayden soone did open the Trappe Doore , And sayde , Yee Friers , come down● upon the Floore . Frier Robert sware , and sayde , By sweete Sainct Iohn , The Good-man is even right well-come home . Alace , hee had ill travelling this day . And wee shall come unto him , yee may say . Then suddenlie they start up both anone , And downe the Trappe , with right good speede , they came : Saluted Simon , as soone as they him see . And hee againe did halsse them courteouslie , And sayde , Come heere , ●●ne owne poore Brethren deare : And sit you downe , even besyde mee , heere : For I am now alone , as yee may see : Where-fore , I pray you , beare mee companie : And take a parte of such Cheare as I have . Frier Allane sayde , I pray GOD you to save . For heere is enough of GODS Graces goode . Then Simon aunswered , Now by the Roode , 〈…〉 Crowne of Golde for mee , 〈…〉 Meate , and Drinke amongst us three . 〈…〉 sayde , UUhat Meate now would yee have ? Or els● what Drink● desire y●e for to crave ? For I 〈◊〉 sundrie Pracktic●es well discearnde , Beyond● t●● S●as , in Pari● , which I learnde : Th● wh●●h I gladlie proove will for your sake , And for our Dames , who did us lodging make . Il● take in hand , if yée will counsell keepe , To c●use you see , even hee●● , before yee sleepe , Of the best Meate that is in this Countrie , And Gascoin Wyne , if ani● that there bee . Or if it bee with-in an hun●reth myle , It shall bee heere , with-in ●●honnie whyle . The Good-man had 〈…〉 vell at this Tale , And sayde , Deare 〈◊〉 , mine Heart will nere bee heale , Excep● ye● try● your S●ill before wee parte , Through your Science , Necr●mancie , or Arte , To make us Sporte . And then the Frier up rose : Taking his Booke , un-to the Floore hee goes . Hee turnes the Leaves , and reades a little space : And to the East hee turnes about his Face . Then to the West hee turneth , looking downe . And closde the Booke , and sayde an Orasoun . But still his Eyes were on the Panterye , And on the Trogh , where-in Frier Iohn did lye . Then sate hee downe , and 〈◊〉 abacke his Hoode : Moste fearfullie gaping as he● were woode . UUhiles sate hee still , his Handes abroade fast spreading And other whiles up-on his ●●oke was reading . And whiles with Handes and Heeles full lowde would clap : And other whiles hee would both glowre , and gape . Thus did Frier Robert reade the House about : Five , or sixe times , so lowlie could hee stoupe , When that hee came near● ha●d the Panterye : Where-at our Dame had won●er great envye . For in her Heart shee had some perceiving , That Frier Robe●t knew well her governing . Shee saw him give the Panterie such state , Untill her-sel●e shee sayde , ( full well I wate ) I am but shent , the Frier knowes all my thought : UUhat shall I doe ? ●lace , what have I wrought ! If Simon know , it will bee a deare Doing . By that the Frier had left his studying : Moste furious●●e hee stampeth on the Floore , Then came againe , and sayde , All hayle , my Cure . Now is it done , and yee shall have plentie , Bread , Meate , and Wyne , the best in this Countri● : There-fore , faire Dame , get-up full speedilie , And goe your wayes , in-to 〈◊〉 Panterie : Soone open it , and see yee bring us fyne A paire of Bottles , full of Ga●●●●m Wyne : UUhich holde more than a Gallon , I warrand : And bring us éeke the Maine-Bread in the Maund . Two roasted Conies , fatte , and hote with-all : The Capons éeke to us , Dame , bring yee shall . Foure Partriches , I know there is no lesse : Of Ploovers , Dame , see that yee bring a messe . The Good-wyfe saw Rob made no variance : She knew that hee had seene her governance . And thought it was no boote for to denye , But quicklie went un-to the Panterye : Then shee brought foorth , together with her Mayde , All that the Frier before un-to her sayde : Starting abacke , as shee were in effray : Then crost her-selfe , and smyling can shee say , Ha , Benedicitie , who hath heere beene ? Or who hath ever such lyke Marvels seene ? So great a wonder is now hapned heere : UUhat shall I say ? hee is an holie Frier . I finde it sooth 〈◊〉 all that hee did say : Mayde , take all foorth , and on the Boarde it lay . 〈…〉 and Wy●e , and other good thinges more : 〈◊〉 , Capons , as yee have heard before . Partriches , Ploovers , to the Board shee brought . Frier Rob knew all , and saw there wanted nought : But all was sooth , shee brought at his devyse . When Simon saw it happened on this wyse , Hee had much wonder , and sware by the Moone , That Frier Robert full well his déede had doone . Thou art , quod hee , a Man of great Science , That hast so soone made thus great Purveyance . Thou bringest heere , through thy great Subtiltie , And by thine Arte , and great Philosophie . In full good time it was , that thou came hither . 〈◊〉 powre out Wyne , ●●d let us drinke together , And make good Ch●●●● , ●●●er this longsome day : For I have 〈…〉ous wildsome way . Now GOD be● pr●ys●e , heere is sufficiance , To serve us all , through your good governance . And then anone they dranke all round about : Of Gascoin Wyne , the Friers playde still Cup-out . They sported them , and made full merrie Cheare , And éeke full lowde sang Simon , and the Frier . Even an this wyse the darksome Night ore-drave , Wanting no-thing that th●y could wish to have . The Good-man s●●de to the Good-wyfe in hye , Come hither , Dame , an●●et you downe mee by , And take a parte of s●ch 〈◊〉 wee have heere , But first of all , I pray 〈◊〉 , thanke the Frier , For his benigne business● , ●nd great cure , Which hee hath done to 〈◊〉 upon the Floore : Hee brought fyne Meate , and Wyne aboundantlie , The●e-fore , forsooth , let us right merrie bee . But sing , or say , or use what sporte they please , Unto our Dame it was but little ease . An-other thing shee had into her thought , How shee might scape , and not ●o Shame bee brought , On Frier Robert shee looked grie●ouslie , And thought through him shee should discov●red be●● And in her heart shee did despa●e lyke-wyse , That they did e●te her Dainties in that gu●se . Yet still shee sate , and durst not make her moane . What ever they did , shee let them aye alone . ●ut shee dranke with them in-to companie , With f●igned cheare , and heart sad and heavie . But they were blythe enough , GOD wots , and sang , For aye the Wyne was raking them amang . Till at the last , that they w●●● drunke each one , Then Simon sayde un-to the Frier anone . Forsooth I marvell much ho● this can bee , In so short time , that yee so suddenlie , Hath brought to us such sto●● of ●●intie Cheare . There-of have yee no marve●● ( quod the Frier ) I have a Page full privie of mine owne , When ere I please , will come to mee unknowne , And bring to mee such thinges as I would have : Looke what I please , I neede it not to crave . There-fore bee blythe , and live in patience , And trust mee , Sir , I le doe my diligence , If that yee please at this time to have more , You shall it have : my lyfe sh●ll stand there-fore . Incontinent that same heer● shall yee see : If yee protest yee will kee●● secresie . Let no man know that I ca● doe such thing . The Good-man sware , an● sayde , By Heavens King , It shall bee kept full secret , 〈◊〉 for mee . But , Brother deare , your ●ervant would I see , If it you pleasde , that wee might drinke together : For I wot not if yee may aye come hither , To have your Friendship , in such case as this . The Frier sa●de , Sir , a● I would faine have Blisse , Although yee shoul● him se● , I you warrand , It can-not bee , yee sh●ll ●●ell understand , 〈…〉 yee may see him in his kinde , 〈◊〉 yee , a●●●e , would runne out of your minde . Hee is so soule , and uglie for to see , I dare not venture for to take on mee To bring him hither , even in-to your sight : And namelie now , so late with-in the Night . Except it bee in such a sorte of wyse , Him to trans-forme , or else to dis-a-guyse From his owne shape , in-to some other state . Then Simon sayde , Let us have no d●bate , As pleaseth you , that lyke-wyse pleaseth mee . ●ee as hee will , yet faine I would him see . In-to what shape would yee hee should appeare ? Th● Good-man sayde , In lykenesse of a Frier , In Habite whyte , lyke as your selves are aye : For the whyte Sprites doe no man harme , they say . Frier Robert sayde , That wayes it may not bee : That dare I not gr●unt un-to you , truelie , That hee appeare in-to our Habite whyte : It were un-to our Or●er great despyte , That anie such un-worthie Wight as hee In-to our Habite anie man should see . Yet since it pleaseth you , hee shall appeare , Yee shall him see in lykenesse of a Frier , In Habite gray , which he●-usde for to weare : In such a wyse , that hee s●●ll no man d●●re . If you please this , then do● as I addyse , Holde you full close , and ●●●ll in anie wy●e . What ever it bee yee eyth●●●ee , or heare , Speake yee no worde , nor make no kinde of ●●iere , But holde you still , till I have done my Cure . And yee , Good-man , must stand upon the Floore , With hardie Heart , a good Staffe in your Hand● Have yee no dread : I shall you aye warran●● Then Simon sayde ● assent 〈…〉 so : Then up hee start , and got 〈…〉 In-to his Hand : and on the Flo●re hee star● , Some-thing affrayde , though stalward was his Heart . Un-to the Frier then spake the Good-man soone , Now tell mee , Master , what ye● would have done ? No-thing , quod hee , but holde you clos● , and still : What ever I doe , take yee good héede there-till . Neare hand the Doore goe hyde you privilie : When I ●id you stryke , then lay on hardilie . Up-on the Necke bee sure to hit him right . I le warrand that ( quoth hee ) with all my might . Thus on the Floore I leave him standing still , Hyding him-selfe , and turne againe I will To Frier Robert , who tooke his Booke in hye , And turned over the Leaves full busilye , A full long space . And when hee had done so , Towa●des the South , with-out speaking wordes moe , Hee went apace : and on this wyse spake hee , Hay , hoe , Hurls-baigs , ryse , I now conjure thee : Stand up , foule F●ende , and so●●e to mee appeare , In Gray Habite , and likeness● of a Frier , From out the Trogh , where thou a-long do●st lye : Stretch foorth thy Limbes , cast off the Stone in hye . Now tumble over the Trogh , that wee may see Thy forme , and shape , before us openlie . With-in this place see that thou no man grieves : But draw thine Handes farre in , with-in thy Slieves . And pull thy Cowle low downe up-on thy Face , And thanke thy God thou gettest so good grace . With speede goe packe thee , to thine owne Receate . Let this bee done , and make no more debate . And as thou passest see thou make no Fray , W●●h anie wight , but swiftlie passe away . But I commaund , and charge thee heere before , That in this place thou come not anie more . Now over the Staire see that thou get good speede . For 〈…〉 will moe Perils breede . 〈◊〉 that Frier Iohn , who under the Trogh lay , Stretche● him ●●one : but was in great effray . Yet up her rose , it might no better bee , And off the Trogh 〈◊〉 Stone soone tumbled hee . All what Fri●r Rob had sayde , hee did ere long : Towardes the Doore hee ●owned for to gang , UUith heavie chea●e , and drierie countenance . For ne● before had hapned him such ch●●●ce . And when Frier Robert 〈◊〉 him passing by , Un-to the Good-man full 〈◊〉 can hee crye , Stryke , Simon , stryke : 〈◊〉 now is tyme for thee . UUith that Simon full fellon Flappes let fli● . UUith his Burdoun hee hit him on the Necke : He● was so fierce hee fell quyt●●re a Secke , And brake his Head up-on 〈◊〉 ●ustard Stone . UUith that Frier Iohn 〈◊〉 over the Staire is gone● In such a wyse , for-sooth , hee mist the Trappe , And in a Ditch hee fell , such was his happe , Well fourtie foote of de●th , under the Staire . Yet hee got out , with Cloathing no-thing faire . Full drierilie up-on his 〈◊〉 hée stoode . That myrie hole had done him little good . Yet over the Wall hee climbe● hastilie , Was made all round about , with Stones , full hie . And of his scape in Heart hee was full faine . I thinke hee should bee l●●th 〈◊〉 come againe . At last Frier Robert 〈◊〉 aba●ke , and saw , UUhere the Good-man was ly●●● wondrous low , Up-on the Floore : and bleedin● was his Head : Hee caught him up , thinking hee had beene dead . Frier Robert then th●ught go●● 〈◊〉 stay no more , But presentlie tooke Simon to 〈…〉 . And when the ●●●de had well 〈…〉 his Face , Hee did revive , with-in a little 〈…〉 And then Frier Robert asked 〈…〉 UUhat ayled him to bee so 〈…〉 Hee sayde , Yonde Fiende hath made mee in 〈◊〉 . Let bee , quod Rob , the worst is now away . Bee merrie , Man , and see yee mourne no more , For yee have stricken him quyte over the Staire . I saw him slippe , if I the sooth may tell : Under the Staire in-to a Myre hee fell . Tush , let him goe , ●ee was a Grace-lesse Guest : And bowne yee to your Bedde , ● holde it best . Thus Simons Head up-on 〈◊〉 Stone was broken : And éeke Frier Iohn in-to the Myre is loppen . Hee wette his Head , and drest his Cloathes full ill . And the Good-wyfe could not get halfe her will . This is a Feate , which happe●●● of a Frier . The LORD helpe us , and CH●●●T His Sonne so deare . Finis .