Wagner spake unto them in such manner: saying that that Honourable, this man’s Lord had sent for him, whose commandment I will in no wise repugn. Wherefore I beseech you to take it as you would my greatest advancement. This his description of his feature, judge how rightly he hath said, for my part I confess that they are rather less than the truth, than not as he hath reported, and herein to satisfy you the more, I have caused my spirit Akercocke to take his shape upon him. Now (quoth he) it is time to depart, but because it shall be the last night of our meeting, none of you shall depart, for I have lodging enough for you all, and for you shall not be forgetful of Wagner when he is gone, let every man wish his woman, and so to bed my masters. They began all to laugh merrily, not as hoping or wishing, but as if they had heard a merry purpose, and therefore they laughed because it was merry, and such mirth they always liked of. Wagner was almost angry, and yet for that he was almost, he was not angry, sending out a great oath as the Prologue of his Comedy, bidding his Boy go prepare their beds and chambers, and bid them wish whom they would, he would their wishes should be performed. Then rose up one of the scholars persuading himself of Wagner’s earnest, and yet doubting, because he feared he was not in earnest. Why (quoth he) if you mean in very deed, my friend Kit, I would I had such a woman, I believe beside herself there is none fairer then the fairest in this town. Why weenest thou I jest (quoth Wagner), go thy ways, yonder she is upon pain of my head, and so it was indeed: then everyone strove who should wish first, and he that wished last had his first wish, so everyone took his Damsel and for that night departed to their beds, who are witnesses of that night’s great pleasures, and in the morning they arose wishing that every morning were the morrow of such a night. Every one gat him a Hackney, and brought him on the way a day’s journey, where they with great grief left him, who rode till he came to Vienna, and they till they arrived at Wittenberg. Thus still you see these Pot-meetings are ended amongst these puffed-cheeked Hannikins[68] with bed dalliances, rightly describing their lives most bestial and Epicure-like. [Footnote 66: The Letters were worn out in this place.—_[Translator’s Note._]] [Footnote 67: Eyelet.] [Footnote 68: German _Hänschen_.] CHAPTER X _A lamentable history of the death of sundry students of Wittenberg_