Now were time for a man, that lacks what he wold, To stalk privately then into a fold, And namely to work then, and be not too bold, He might abide the bargain, if it were told At the ending. Now were time for to revel; But he needs good counsel That fain would fare well, And has but little spending. [_Mac works a spell on them._ But about you a circle, as round as a moon, Till I have done that I will, till that it be noon, That ye lie stone-still, till that I have done, And I shall say there till of good words a foyn[128] On height; Over your heads my hand I lift, Out go your eyes, fore to do your sight, But yet I must make better shift, And it be right. What, Lord? they sleep hard! that may ye all hear; Was I never a shepherd, but now will I leer[129] If the flock be scared, yet shall I nap near, Who draws hitherward, now mends our cheer, From sorrow: A fat sheep I dare say, A good fleece dare I lay, Eft white when I may, But this will I borrow. [_He steals a sheep and goes home._ _Mac_ (_at his own door_). How, Gill, art thou in? Get us some light. _His Wife._ Who makes such din this time of night? I am set for to spin: I hope not I might Rise a penny to win: I shrew them on height. So fares A housewife that has been To be raised thus between: There may no note be seen For such small chares.[130] _Mac._ Good wife, open the hek.[131] See'st thou not what I bring? _Wife._ I may let thee draw the sneck. Ah! come in, my sweeting. _Mac._ Yea, thou dost not reck of my long standing. _Wife._ By thy naked neck, thou art like for to hang. _Mac._ Go away: I am worthy of my meat, For in a strait can I get More than they that swinck[132] and sweat All the long day, Thus it fell to my lot, Gill, I had such grace. _Wife._ It were a foul blot to be hanged for the case. _Mac._ I have scaped, Jelott, oft as hard as glass. _Wife._ "But so long goes the pot to the water," men says, "At last comes it home broken." _Mac._ Well know I the token, But let it never be spoken; But come and help fast. I would he were flayn;[133] I list we'll eat: This twelvemonth was I not so fain of one sheep-meat. _Wife._ Come they if he be slain, and hear the sheep bleat? _Mac._ Then might I be ta'en: that were a cold sweat. Go bar The gate door. _Wife._ Yes, Mac, For and they come at thy back. _Mac._ Then might I pay for all the pack: The devil of them war![134] _Wife._ A good bowrde[135] have I spied, since thou can none: Here shall we him hide, till they be gone; In my cradle abide. Let me alone, And I shall lie beside in childbed and groan. _Mac._ Thou red?[136] And I shall say thou wast light Of a knave child this night. _Wife._ Now well is my day bright, That ever I was bred. This is a good guise and a far cast; Yet a woman's advice helps at the last. I care never who spies: again go thou fast.