_Mis._ For a winter corn thresher, sir! I have hired. And ye said: the corn should be saved and the chaff should be fired; And he proveth nay, as it showeth by this verse: Corn serveth breadibus, chaff horsibus, straw firibusque. This is as much to say, to your lewd understanding, As: the corn shall serve to bread at the next baking; chaff horsibus, et reliqu[i]d, The chaff to horse shall be good produce; When a man is for-cold the straw may be brent; And so forth, etc. _Mer._ Avoid, good brother! ye been culpable To interrupt thus my talking delectable. _Mis._ Sir! I have nother horse nor saddle; Therefore, I may not ride. _Mer._ Hie you forth on foot, brother! in God's name! _Mis._ I say, sir! I am come hither to make you game; Yet, bade ye me not go out in the devil's name, And I will abide. [_A leaf of the manuscript has probably been lost_ _at this point. It commences again by the_ _entry of_ NEW GUISE, NOUGHT _and_ NOW-A-DAYS _with a band of minstrels._] _New Guise._ And ho, minstrels! play the common trace; Lay on with thy bales till his belly brest! _Nought._ I put case: I break my neck--how than? _New G._ I give no force, by saint Anne! _Now-a-days._ Leap about lively! thou art a white man; Let us be merry while we be here! _Nought._ Shall I break my neck to show you sport? _Now._ Therefore, ever beware of thy report! _Nought._ I beshrew you all! here is a shrewd sort; Have there at them, with a merry cheer! [_Here they dance._ MERCY _saith_, _Mer._ Do way! do way this revel, sirs! do way! _Now._ Do way, good Adam! do way! This is no part of thy play. _Nought._ Yes, marry! I pray you; for I love not this revelling; Come forth, good father! I you pray; By a little ye may assay. Anon, off with your clothes! if ye will pray. Go to! I have had a pretty scottling. _Mer._ Nay, brother! I will not dance; _New G._ If ye will, sir! my brother will make you to prance. _Now._ With all my heart, sir! if I may you avance; Ye may assay by a little trace. _Nought._ Yea, sir! will ye do well? Trace not with them, by my counsel! For I have traced somewhat to fell; I tell [you] it is a narrow space. But, sir! I trow, of us three I heard you speak. _New G._ Christ's curse have ye, therefore! for I was in sleep. _Now._ A[nd] I had the cup in my hand, ready to go to meat-- Therefore, sir! curtly, greet you well! _Mer._ Few words! few, and well set! _New G._ Sir! it is the new guise and the new jet. Many words and shortly set-- This is the new guise every deal. _Mer._ Lady, help! how wretches delight in their simple ways! _Now._ Say no[ugh]t again the new guise now-a-days! Thou shall find us sh[r]ews at all assays: Beware! ye may soon lick a buffet.