But now and then I curse and ban; They make their ale so small! God give them care, and evil to fare! They strye the malt and all. Such peevish pew, I tell you true, Not for a crown of gold There cometh one sip within my lip, Whether it be new or old. Back and side, &c. Good ale and strong maketh me among Full jocund and full light, That oft I sleep, and take no keep From morning until night. Then start I up, and flee to the cup; The right way on I hold. My thirst to stanch I fill my paunch With jolly good ale and old. Back and side, &c. And Kytte, my wife, that as her life Loveth well good ale to seek, Full oft drinketh she that ye may see The tears run down her cheek. Then doth she troll to me the bowl As a good malt-worm should, And say, "Sweetheart, I have taken my part Of jolly good ale and old." Back and side, &c. They that do drink till they nod and wink, Even as good fellows should do, They shall not miss to have the bliss That good ale hath brought them to. And all poor souls that scour black bowls, And them hath lustily trolled, God save the lives of them and their wives, Whether they be young or old! Back and side, &c. [Illustration: A Ryght Pithy, Pleasaunt and merie Comedie: Intytuled _Gammer gurtons Nedle_: Played on Stage, not longe ago in Christes _Colledge in Cambridge_. _Made by Mr. S. Mr. of Art._ Imprented at London in Fleetestreat beneth the Conduit at the signe of S. John Evangelist by Thomas _Colwell_. [_Reduced facsimile of the Title-page of "Gammer Gurton's Needle" from the British Museum Copy._]] A RIGHT PITHY, PLEASANT, AND MERRY COMEDY, ENTITLED GAMMER GURTON'S NEEDLE. PLAYED ON STAGE NOT LONG AGO IN CHRIST'S COLLEGE IN CAMBRIDGE. MADE BY MR. S., M.A. IMPRINTED AT LONDON IN FLEET STREET, BENEATH THE CONDUIT, AT THE SIGN OF ST. JOHN EVANGELIST, BY THOMAS COLWELL. The Names of the Speakers in this Comedy: DICCON, THE BEDLAM HODGE, GAMMER GURTON'S SERVANT TIB, GAMMER GURTON'S MAID GAMMER GURTON COCK, GAMMER GURTON'S BOY DAME CHAT DOCTOR RAT, THE CURATE MASTER BAILY DOLL, DAME CHAT'S MAID SCAPETHRIFT, MASTER BAILY'S SERVANT MUTES _God Save the Queen_ [Illustration] GAMMER GURTON'S NEEDLE THE PROLOGUE.