But I may cry out "Harro!"[151]
The sheep if they find.
_Wife._ Hearken aye when they call: they will come anon.
Come and make ready all, and sing by thine own,
Sing "Lullay!" thou shall, for I must groan,
And cry out by the wall on Mary and John,
For sore.
Sing "Lullay" full fast
When thou hears at the last;
And but I play a false cast
Trust me no more.
[_Re-enter the Three Shepherds._]
_3rd Shepherd._ Ah, Coll! good morn:--why sleepest thou not?
_1st Shepherd._ Alas, that ever was I born!--we have a foul blot.
A fat wether have we lorne.[152]
_3rd Shepherd._ Marry, Godys forbot![153]
_2nd Shepherd._ Who should do us that scorn? That were a foul spot.
_1st Shepherd._ Some shrew.
I have sought with my dogs,
All Horbery shrogs,[154]
And of fifteen hogs
Found I but one ewe.
_3rd Shepherd._ Now trust me if you will;--by Saint Thomas of Kent!
Either Mac or Gill--was at that assent.
_1st Shepherd._ Peace, man, be still;--I saw when he went.
Thou slander'st him ill; thou ought to repent.
Good speed.
_2nd Shepherd._ Now as ever might I thee,
If I should even here dee,[155]
I would say it were he,
That did that same deed.
_3rd Shepherd._ Go we thither I rede,[156]--and run on our feet.
May I never eat bread,--the truth till I wit.
_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 queasse[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
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