[121] It is not very usual to find this word in its jocular sense spelled in this manner. It continued to be used in its original signification (_action_ or _exploit_) even to the Restoration, perhaps later. The most recent example of this employment with which the Editor has happened to meet is at p. 29 of Mauley's _Iter Carolinum_, 1660, where the writer speaks of "His Majesties Gests from Newcastle to Holdenby in Feb. 1646." These _gests_ were certainly no _jests_. Since the former part of this note was written a more recent instance of the use of _gest_ in the sense in question has occurred to the Editor in the _Life and Gests of S. Thomas Cantilupe, Gant_, 1674. 8vo. + _Of hym that aduenturyd body and soule for hys prynce._ lxxvii. + Two knyghtes there were which wente to a standynge fylde with theyr prynce; but one of them was confessed before he wente, but the other wente into the felde without shryfte or repentaunce. Afterwarde thys prynce wanne the fylde, and had the victory that day; wherfore he that was confessed came to the prynce, and asked an offyce and sayd that he had deserved it, for he had done good seruice and aduentured that day as farre as any man in the felde. To whome the other that was unconfessed answered and sayd: nay, by the masse, I am more worthy to haue a rewarde than he: for he aduentured but his body for your sake, for he durst nat go to the felde tyll he was confessed; _but I that was unconfessed adventured my soule_.[122] * * * * _The remainder of this tale is wanting._ + _Of the parson that stale the mylners elys._ lxxviii. _Too imperfect to decypher._ + _Of the Welchman that saw one xls. better than God._ lxxix. + A Welchman on a tyme went to churche to _be shryued, and chanced_ to come in euyn at the sacryng-time.[123] When he had _confessed him_ he went home, wher one of his felowes askyd hym wh_ether he had seen God_ Almighty to day; which answerd and sayd: nay, but I saw _one forty shillings better_. + _Of the frere that said dyryge for the hoggys soule._ lxxx.