[26.] One told a Story (which he swore was of certain as you know all these things are,) For, says he, I was riding to Saint _Albans_, and riding through a Lane, that was of stiff Clay, as I was galloping, my Horses foot sticking in, pluckt off shoe and hooff too, and so I gallopt on for three or four Miles; and my horse never complained, that I never saw a horse gallop so well on three legs in my life; at length he began to limp, then I lighted to see what he ailed and found both shooe and hooff gone; so, fearing to pay for the horse, got presently up agen, and gallopt as fast as I could drive; and fortunately my Horse leg lighted agen in the same place, and pull'd up hooff, shoe and all, which was better fastened than when I came out; and so I performed my journy, and got that night as far as I rid. One evening as Cold as Cold might be, [91.] With frost and haile, and pinching weather, Companions about three times three Lay close all in a pound together. Yet one after another they tooke a heate, And died that night all in a sweat. _Resolution._ A pound of Candles. =Dead and Alive.= This DITTY out of _Gloucestershire_ was sent, To _London_, for to have it put in Print; Therefore draw near, and listen unto this, It doth concern a Man that did Amiss; And so to shun the Anger of his WIFE, He thought with Poyson for to end his Life, But instead of Poyson he drank Sack, For which his Wife did soundly pay's back-- To the Tune of _Old Flesh_ &c.-- There was a shaving Royster, [114.] as I heard many tell, In _Michal-Danes_ fair forest, in _Gloucestershire_ did dwell; Some call'd him _William Wiseman_, but in that they were to blame, Some call'd him _Leonard Lackwit_, but that was not his name; His name was _Simple Simon_, as it is well approv'd, And among his Friends and Kinsfolks, he dearly was belov'd: He capor'd and he vapour'd and he liv'd a merry life, But yet, good Man, at all times, he could not rule his Wife. [Illustration] His Wife she was a Woman, that lov'd a cup of Sack, And she would tipple soundly, behind her Husband's back; A bottle she had gotten that would hold two quarts or more, Well fill'd with wine she hang'd it behind her chamber door: And she told unto her Husband that it was poyson strong, And bad him not to touch it, for fear of doing wrong: If thou drink but one drop on't, (quoth she) 'twill end thy life; Therefore in time take heed, and be ruled by thy Wife.