it.
A season.
I have bairns if ye knew,
Well more than enew,[161]
But we must drink as we brew,
And that is but reason.
I would ye dined e'er ye yode:[162] methink that ye sweat.

_2nd Shepherd._ Nay, neither mends our mode, drink nor meat.

_Mac._ Why, sir, ails you aught, but good?

_3rd Shepherd._ Yes, our sheep that we gat,
Are stolen as they yode.[163] Our loss is great.

_Mac._ Sirs, drinkys!
Had I been there,
Some should have bought it full dear.

_1st Shepherd._ Marry, some men trows that ye were,
And that us forethinkys.[164]

_2nd Shepherd._ Mac, some men trows that it should be ye.

_3rd Shepherd._ Either ye or your spouse; so say we.

_Mac._ Now if ye have suspouse[165] to Gill or to me,
Come and rip our house, and then may ye see
Who had her.
If I any sheep got,
Either cow or stot,
And Gill, my wife rose not
Here since she laid her.
As I am both true and leal, to God here I pray,
That this be the first meal, I shall eat this day.

_1st Shepherd._ Mac, as I have weal, arise thee, I say!
"He learned timely to steal, that could not say nay."

_Wife._ I swelt.[166]
Out thieves from my once!
Ye come to rob us for the nonce.

_Mac._ Hear ye not how she groans?
Your heart should melt.

_Wife._ Out thieves, from my bairn! Nigh him not thore.

_Mac._ Knew ye how she had farne,[167] your hearts would be sore.
Ye do wrong, I you warn, that thus commys before
To a woman that has farn;[168] but I say no more.

_Wife._ Ah, my middle!
I pray to God so mild,
If ever I you beguiled,
That I eat this child,
That lies in this cradle.

_Mac._ Peace, woman, for God's pain, and cry not so:
Thou spill'st thy brain, and mak'st me full woe.

_2nd Shepherd._ I know our sheep be slain, what find ye too?

_3rd Shepherd._ All work we in vain: as well may we go.
But hatters.[169]
I can find no flesh,
Hard nor nesh,[170]
Salt nor fresh,
But two tome[171] platters:
No cattle but this, tame nor wild,
None, as have I bliss; as loud as he smiled.

_Wife._ No, so God me bliss, and give me joy of my child.

_1st Shepherd._ We have marked amiss: I hold us beguiled.

_2nd Shepherd._ Sir, done!
Sir, our lady him save,
Is your child a knave?[172]

_Mac._ Any lord might him have
This child to his son.
When he wakens he skips, that joy is to see.

_3rd Shepherd._ In good time, be his steps, and happy they be!
But who was