_3rd Shepherd._ Christ's cross me speed, and Saint Nicholas! Thereof had I need, it is worse than it was. Whoso could take heed, and let the world pass, It is ever in dread and brittle as glass, And slithers,[100] This world fared never so, With marvels mo and mo,[101] Now in weal, now in woe, And all things withers. Was never since Noah's flood such floods seen, Winds and rains so rude, and storms so keen, Some stammered, some stood in doubt, as I ween, Now God turn all to good, I say as I mean, For ponder. These floods so they drown Both in fields and in town, They bear all down, And that is a wonder. We that walk in the nights, our cattle to keep, We see sudden sights, when other men sleep: Yet methinks my heart lights, I see shrews peep, Ye are two, all wights,[102] I will give my sheep A turn. But full ill have I meant, As I walk on this bent,[103] I may lightly repent, My toes if I spurn. Ah, sir, God you save, and master mine! A drink fain would I have and somewhat to dine. _1st Shepherd._ Christ's curs, my knave, thou art a lazy hyne.[104] _2nd Shepherd._ What, the boy list rave. Abide until syne[105] We have made it. I'll thrift on thy pate! Though the shrew came late Yet is he in state To dine if he had it. _3rd Shepherd._ Such servants as I, that sweats and swinks, Eats our bread full dry, and that me forthinks; We are oft wet and weary when master men winks, Yet comes full lately both dinners and drinks, But neatly. Both our dame and our sire, When we have run in the mire, They can nip at our hire,[106] And pay us full lately. But hear my truth, master, for the fare that ye make I shall do thereafter work, as I take; I shall do a little, sir, and strive and still lack, For yet lay my supper never on my stomack In fields. Whereto should I threap?[107] With my staff can I leap, And men say "light cheap Letherly for yields."[108] _1st Shepherd._ Thou wert an ill lad, to ride on wooing With a man that had but little of spending. _2nd Shepherd._ Peace, boy!--I bade: no more jangling, Or I shall make thee afraid, by the heaven's king! With thy gawds; Where are our sheep, boy, we scorn? _3rd Shepherd._ Sir, this same day at morn, I them left in the corn, When they rang lauds; They have pasture good, they cannot go wrong. _1st Shepherd._ That is right by the rood, these nights are long, Yet I would, or we yode,[109] one gave us a song. _2nd Shepherd._ So I thought as I stood, to mirth us among.[110] _3rd Shepherd._ I grant. _1st Shepherd._ Let me sing the tenory. _2nd Shepherd._ And I the treble so high. _3rd Shepherd._ Then the mean falls to me; Let see how ye chaunt. [_Mac enters, with a cloak thrown over his smock._ _Mac._ Now, Lord, for thy names seven, that made both moon and starns[111] Well more than I can even: thy will, Lord, of my thorns; I am all uneven, that moves oft my horns,[112] Now would God I were in heaven, for there weep no bairns So still.