can twig whoso it is
Seeks his ease on his own side.

_1st Torturer._ It is better, as I hope
Each by himself to draw this rope,
And then may we see
Who it is that erewhile
All his fellows can beguile
Of this company.

_2nd Torturer._ Since thou wilt so have, here's for me!
How draw I?--as might thou the![296]

_3rd Torturer._ Men drew right well!
Have here for me, half a foot.

_4th Torturer._ Wema,[297] man! thou came not to't.
Men drew it never a deal
But have for me here that I may!

_1st Torturer._ Well drawnen, son, by this day!
Thou goes well to thy work.

_2nd Torturer._ Yet after, whilst thy hand is in
Pull thereat with some engine.

_3rd Torturer._ Yea, and bring it to the mark.

_4th Torturer._ Pull, pull!

_1st Torturer._ Have now!

_2nd Torturer._ Let see!

_3rd Torturer._ Aha!

_4th Torturer._ Yet, a draught!

_1st Torturer._ Thereto with all my might.

_2nd Torturer._ Aha, hold still thore.[298]

_3rd Torturer._ So, fellows, look now alive,
Which of you can best drive,
And I shall take the bore.

_4th Torturer._ Let me go to it, if I shall
I hope that I be the best marshal[299]
For to clink[300] it right.
Do raise him up now when we may,
For I hope he and his palfrey
Shall not twine[301] this night.

_1st Torturer._ Come hither, fellows, and have done,
And help that this tree soon
Be lift with all your sleight.

_2nd Torturer._ Yet let us work awhile,
And no man now the other beguile
Till it be brought on height.

_3rd Torturer._ Fellows, lay on all your hende[302]
For to raise this tree on ende
And lets see who is last.

_4th Torturer._ I rede we do as he says,
Set we the tree on the mortase,[303]
And there, will it stand fast.

_1st Torturer._ Up with the timber.

_2nd Torturer._ Ah, it holds!
For him, that all this world wields,
Put from thee, with thy hand.

_3rd Torturer._ Hold even! amongst us all.

_4th Torturer._ Yea, and let it into the mortise fall,
For then will it best stand.

_1st Torturer._ Go we to it, and be we strong,
And raise it, be it never so long,
Since that it is fast bound.

_2nd Torturer._ Up with the timber fast on ende.

_3rd Torturer._ Ah fellows, fair fall now your hende.

_4th Torturer._ So, sir, gape against the sun!

[_To Christ._

_1st Torturer._ Ah, fellow, wear thy crown!

_2nd Torturer._ Trowest thou this timber will come down?

_3rd Torturer._ Yet help, to make it fast.

_4th Tortur