_Wife._ Go to another stead; I may not well queasse[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, drinkýs! Had I been there, Some should have bought it full dear. _1st Shepherd._ Marry, some men trows that ye were, And that us forethinkýs.[164] _2nd Shepherd._ Mac, some men trows that it should be ye. _3rd Shepherd._ Either ye or your spouse; so say we. _Mac._ Now if ye have suspouse[165] to Gill or to me, Come and rip our house, and then may ye see Who had her. If I any sheep got, Either cow or stot, And Gill, my wife rose not Here since she laid her. As I am both true and leal, to God here I pray, That this be the first meal, I shall eat this day. _1st Shepherd._ Mac, as I have weal, arise thee, I say! "He learned timely to steal, that could not say nay." _Wife._ I swelt.[166] Out thieves from my once! Ye come to rob us for the nonce. _Mac._ Hear ye not how she groans? Your heart should melt. _Wife._ Out thieves, from my bairn! Nigh him not thore. _Mac._ Knew ye how she had farne,[167] your hearts would be sore. Ye do wrong, I you warn, that thus commys before To a woman that has farn;[168] but I say no more. _Wife._ Ah, my middle! I pray to God so mild, If ever I you beguiled, That I eat this child, That lies in this cradle. _Mac._ Peace, woman, for God's pain, and cry not so: Thou spill'st thy brain, and mak'st me full woe. _2nd Shepherd._ I know our sheep be slain, what find ye too? _3rd Shepherd._ All work we in vain: as well may we go. But hatters.[169] I can find no flesh, Hard nor nesh,[170] Salt nor fresh, But two tome[171] platters: No cattle but this, tame nor wild, None, as have I bliss; as loud as he smiled. _Wife._ No, so God me bliss, and give me joy of my child. _1st Shepherd._ We have markëd amiss: I hold us beguiled. _2nd Shepherd._ Sir, done! Sir, our lady him save, Is your child a knave?[172] _Mac._ Any lord might him have This child to his son. When he wakens he skips, that joy is to see. _3rd Shepherd._ In good time, be his steps, and happy they be! But who was his gossips, tell now to me! _Mac._ So fair fall their lips! _1st Shepherd (aside)._ Hark now, a lee![173]