_Mac._ So God them thank, Parkin, and Gibbon Waller, I say, And gentle John Horne, in good fay,[174] He made all the garray,[175] With the great shank. _2nd Shepherd._ Mac, friends will we be, for we are all one. _Mac._ Why! now I hold for me, for help get I none. Farewell all three: all glad were ye gone. _3rd Shepherd._ Fair words may there be, but love there is none. _1st Shepherd._ Gave ye the child anything? _2nd Shepherd._ I trust not one farthing. _3rd Shepherd._ Fast again will I fling, Abide ye me there. [_He returns to Mac's cot._ Mac, take it to no grief, if I come to thy barn. _Mac._ Nay, thou dost me great reprieve, and foul hast thou farne.[176] _3rd Shepherd._ The child will it not grieve, that little day starn.[177] Mac, with your leave, let me give your bairn, But sixpence. _Mac._ Nay, go 'way: he sleepys. _3rd Shepherd._ Methink he peepys. _Mac._ When he wakens he weepys. I pray you go hence. _3rd Shepherd._ Give me leave him to kiss, and lift up the clout. What the devil is this? He has a long snout. _1st Shepherd._ He is marked amiss. We wait ill about. _2nd Shepherd._ Ill spun weft, I wis, aye cometh foul out; Aye so; He is like to our sheep. _3rd Shepherd._ How, Gib, may I peep? _1st Shepherd._ I trow, kind will creep, Where it may not go. _2nd Shepherd._ This was a quaint gaud,[178] and a far cast It was a high fraud. _3rd Shepherd._ Yea, sirs, was't. Let burn this bawd and bind her fast. A false skawd[179] hangs at the last; So shall thou. Will ye see how they swaddle His four feet in the middle? Saw I never in a cradle A hornëd lad e'er now. _Mac._ Peace bid I: what! let be your fare; I am he that him gat, and yond woman him bare. _1st Shepherd._ What devil shall he halt?[180] Mac, lo, God makes air. _2nd Shepherd._ Let be all that. Now God give him care! I sagh.[181] _Wife._ A pretty child is he, As sits upon a woman's knee; A dylly-downe, perdie! To make a man laugh. _3rd Shepherd._ I know him by the ear mark:--that is a good token. _Mac._ I tell you, sirs, hark:--his nose was broken. Since then, told me a clerk,--that he was forespoken.[182] _1st Shepherd._ This is a false work.--I would fain be wroken:[183] Get a weapon! _Wife._ He was taken by an elf;[184] I saw it myself. When the clock struck twelve, Was he mis-shapen. _2nd Shepherd._ Ye two are right deft,--same in a stead. _3rd Shepherd._ Since they maintain their theft,--let's do them to dead. _Mac._ If I trespass eft, gird off my head. With you will I be left. _1st Shepherd._ Sirs, do my red For this trespass, We will neither ban nor flyte[185] Fight, nor chyte,[186] But seize him tight, And cast him in canvas. [_They toss Mac for his sins._ * * * * * _1st Shepherd_ (_as the three return to the fold_). Lord, how I am sore, in point for to tryst: In faith I may no more, therefore will I rest.