_Gammer._ Come down and help to seek here our nee'le, that it were found. Down, Tib, on the knees, I say! Down, Cock, to the ground! To God I make a vow, and so to good Saint Anne, A candle shall they have a-piece, get it where I can, If I may my nee'le find in one place or in other. _Hodge._ Now a vengeance on Gib light, on Gib and Gib's mother, And all the generation of cats both far and near! Look on the ground, whoreson, thinks thou the nee'le is here? _Cock._ By my troth, Gammer, me-thought your nee'le here I saw, But when my fingers touch'd it, I felt it was a straw. _Tib._ See, Hodge, what's this? may it not be within it? _Hodge._ Break it, fool, with thy hand, and see and thou canst find it. _Tib._ Nay, break it you, Hodge, according to your word. _Hodge._ Gog's sides! fie! it stinks! it is a cat's turd! It were well done to make thee eat it, by the mass! _Gammer._ This matter amendeth not; my nee'le is still where it was. Our candle is at an end, let us all in quite, And come another time, when we have more light. THE SECOND ACT. _First a_ SONG. _Back and side go bare, go bare, Both foot and hand go cold; But, belly, God send thee good ale enough. Whether it be new or old._ _I cannot eat but little meat, My stomach is not good; But sure I think that I can drink With him that wears a hood. Though I go bare, take ye no care, I am nothing a-cold; I stuff my skin so full within Of jolly good ale and old. Back and side go bare, go bare, &c._ _I love no roast but a nut-brown toast And a crab laid in the fire. A little bread shall do me stead: Much bread I not desire. No frost nor snow, no wind, I trow, Can hurt me if I would; I am so wrapt, and thoroughly lapt Of jolly good ale and old. Back and side go bare, &c._ _And Tib my wife, that as her life Loveth well good ale to seek, Full oft drinks she till ye may see The tears run down her cheek: Then doth she trowl to me the bowl Even as a malt-worm should: And saith, sweet heart, I took my part Of this jolly good ale and old. Back and side go bare, &c._ _Now let them drink till they nod and wink, Even as good fellows should do; They shall not miss to have the bliss Good ale doth bring men to; And all poor souls that have scoured bowls, Or have them lustly troll'd. God save the lives of them and their wives, Whether they be young or old. Back and side go bare, &c._ THE SECOND ACT. THE FIRST SCENE. DICCON, HODGE.