_1st Torturer._ All peace, all peace, among you all! And hearken now what shall befall To this false chuffer[278] here. That with his false quantyse[279] Has made himself as God wise Among us many a year. He calls himself a prophet, And says that he can bales[280] beat[281] And make all things amend, But e'er long know we shall, Whether he can overcome his own bale,[280] Or 'scape out of our hand. Was not this a wonder thing That he durst call himself a king And make so great a lie? But, by Mahoun! while I may live, Those proud words shall I never forgive, Till he be hanged on high. _2nd Torturer._ His pride, fie, we set at nought, But each man reckon in his thought And look that we naught want; For I shall seek, if that I may, By the order of knighthood, to-day, To make his heart pant. _3rd Torturer._ And so shall I, with all my might, Abate his pride this very night, And reckon him a crede. Lo! he lets on he could no ill, But he can aye, when he will, Do a full foul deed. _4th Torturer._ Ye fellows, ye, as I, have rest, Among us all I rede[282] we cast To bring this thief to dede.[283] Look that we have what we need too For to hold strait this shrew. _1st Torturer._ That was a noble rede; Lo, here I have a band, If need be, to bind his hand; This thong, I trow, will last. _2nd Torturer._ And one to the other side, That shall abate his pride, If it be but drawn fast. _3rd Torturer._ Lo, here a hammer and nails also For to fasten fast our foe To this tree full soon. _4th Torturer._ You are wise, withouten dread, That so can help yourself at need To thing that should be done. _1st Torturer._ Now dare I say hardily, He shall with all his mawmentry[284] No longer us be-tell. _2nd Torturer._ Since Pilate has him to us gi'en Have done, quickly, let it be seen, How we can with him mell.[285] _3rd Torturer._ Now we are at the Mount of Calvary, Have done, fellows, and let now see How we can with him play. _4th Torturer._ Yes, for as proud as he can look, He would have turned another crook, Had he the rack to-day. _1st Torturer._ In faith, sir, since ye called you a king, You must prove a worthy thing That falls into the weir. You must joust in tournament, But sit you fast, else you'll be shent,[286] Else down I shall you bear. _2nd Torturer._ If thou be God's son, as thou tells, Thou canst save thyself--how shouldst thou else? Else were it marvel great; And canst thou not, we will not trow What thou has said, but make thee mow When thou sitt'st in that seat. _3rd Torturer._ If thou be king, we shall thanks adylle[287] For we shall set thee in thy sadylle[288] For falling be thou bold[289] I promise thee thou bidest a shaft If thou sitt'st not well thou hadst better laft[290] The tales that thou hast told.