_Mac._ The last word that they said,--when I turned my back, They would look that they had--their sheep all the pack.

I hope they will not be well paid,--when they their sheep lack.

Perdie!

But howso the game goes, To me they will suppose, And make a foul noise, And cry out upon me.

But thou must do as thou hight,

_Wife._ I accord me thertylle.[150]

I shall swaddle him right in my cradle.

If it were a greater slight, yet could I help till.

I will lie down straight. Come hap me.

_Mac._ I will.

_Wife._ Behind, Come Coll and his marrow, They will nip us full narrow.

_Mac._ 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, G.o.dys 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 a.s.sent.

_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 quea.s.se[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 it.

A season.

I have bairns if ye knew, Well more than enew,[161]

But we must drink as we brew, And that is but reason.

I would ye dined e'er ye yode:[162] methink that ye sweat.

_2nd Shepherd._ Nay, neither mends our mode, drink nor meat.

_Mac._ Why, sir, ails you aught, but good?

_3rd Shepherd._ Yes, our sheep that we gat, Are stolen as they yode.[163] Our loss is great.

_Mac._ Sirs, drinks!

Had I been there, Some should have bought it full dear.

_1st Shepherd._ Marry, some men trows that ye were, And that us forethinks.[164]

_2nd Shepherd._ Mac, some men trows that it should be ye.