'POTHECARY. If ye will taste but this crumb that ye see, If ever ye be hanged, never trust me. Here have I _diapompholicus_, A special ointment, as doctors discuss, For a fistula or for a canker: This ointment is even shot-anchor;[479] For this medicine[480] helpeth one and other, Or bringeth them in case that they need no other. Here is a _syrapus de Byzansis_, A little thing is enough of this; For even the weight of one scruple Shall[481] make you as strong as a cripple. Here are others, as _diosfialios, Diagalanga_ and _sticados, Blanka, manna, diospoliticon_, Mercury sublime and _metridaticon_, Pellitory and arsefetita; Cassy and _colloquintita_. These be[482] the things that break all strife Between man's sickness and his life. From all pain these shall you deliver, And set you even at rest for ever. Here is a medicine no mo like the same, Which commonly is called thus by name _Alikakabus_ or _Alkakengy_, A goodly thing for dogs that be[483] mangy. Such be these medicines, that I can Help a dog as well as a man. Not one thing here particularly, But worketh universally; For it doth me as much good, when I sell it, As all the buyers that taste it or smell it. Now since my medicines be so special, And in one operation so general, And ready to work whensoever they shall, So that in riches I am principal; If any reward may entreat ye, I beseech your maship be good to[484] me, And ye shall have a box of marmalade, So fine that you may dig it with a spade. PEDLAR. Sir, I thank you; but your reward Is not the thing that I regard: I must and will be indifferent; Wherefore proceed in your intent. 'POTHECARY. Now if I wist this wish no sin, I would to God I might begin. 'PARDONER. I am content that thou lie first. PALMER. Even so am I; now[485] say thy worst. Now let us hear, of all thy lies, The greatest lie thou mayst devise. And in the fewest words thou can. 'POTHECARY. Forsooth, ye be[486] an honest man. PEDLAR. There said ye much, but yet no lie. PARDONER. Now lie ye both, by Our Lady. Thou liest in boast of his honesty, And he hath lied in affirming thee. 'POTHECARY. If we both he, and ye say true, Then of these lies your part adieu! And if ye win, make none avaunt, For you are sure of one ill servant. You may perceive by the words he gave, He taketh your maship[487] but for knave. But who told truth[488] or lied indeed, That will I know, ere[489] we proceed. Sir, after that I first began To praise you for an honest man, When ye affirmed it for no lie:[490] Now, by your[491] faith, speak even truly; Thought ye your affirmation true? PALMER. Yea, marry, for I would ye knew, I think myself an honest man. 'POTHECARY. What thought ye in the contrary then? PARDONER. In that I said the contrary, I think from truth I did not vary. 'POTHECARY. And what of my words? PARDONER. I thought ye lied.