Back cometh my cousin Careaway homeward full fast: Pricking, prancing, and springing in his short coat, And pleasantly singing with a merry note. Whither away so fast? tarry a while, said one. I cannot now, said Jenkin, I must needs be gone. My master suppeth hereby at a gentleman's place, And I must thither fetch my dame, Mistress Bongrace. But yet, ere I go, I care not much At the bucklers to play with thee one fair touch. To it they went, and played so long, Till Jenkin thought he had wrong. By Cock's precious podstick, I will not home this night, Quod he, but as good a stripe on thy head light! Within half an hour, or somewhat less, Jenkin left playing, and went to fetch his mistress; But by the way he met with a fruiterer's wife: There Jenkin and she fell at such strife For snatching of an apple, that down he cast Her basket, and gathered up the apples fast, And put them in his sleeve, then came he his way By another lane, as fast as he may; Till he came at a corner by a shop's stall, Where boys were at dice, faring at all; When Careaway with that good company met, He fell to faring withouten let, Forgetting his message, and so did he fare, That when I came by, he gan swear and stare, And full bitterly began to curse, As one that had lost almost all in his purse. For I know his old guise and condition, Never to leave, till all his money be gone. For he hath no money but what he doth steal, And that woll he play away every deal. I passed by, and then called unto my mind Certain old reckonings, that were behind Between Jenkin and me, whom partly to recompense I trust by God's grace, ere I go hence. This garments, cape, and all other gear, That now you see upon me here, I have done on all like unto his For the nonce; and my purpose is To make Jenkin believe, if I can, That he is not himself, but another man. For except he hath better luck than he had, He woll come hither stark staring mad. When he shall come, I woll handle my captive so, That he shall not well wot whither to go. His mistress, I know, she woll him blame, And his master also will do the same; Because that she of her supper deceived is, For I am sure they have all supped by this. But, and if Jenkin would hither resort, I trust he and I should make some sport, If I had sooner spoken, he would have sooner been here, For me seemeth I do his voice hear.