e can overcome his own bale,[280]
Or 'scape out of our hand.

Was not this a wonder thing
That he durst call himself a king
And make so great a lie?
But, by Mahoun! while I may live,
Those proud words shall I never forgive,
Till he be hanged on high.

_2nd Torturer._ His pride, fie, we set at nought,
But each man reckon in his thought
And look that we naught want;
For I shall seek, if that I may,
By the order of knighthood, to-day,
To make his heart pant.

_3rd Torturer._ And so shall I, with all my might,
Abate his pride this very night,
And reckon him a crede.
Lo! he lets on he could no ill,
But he can aye, when he will,
Do a full foul deed.

_4th Torturer._ Ye fellows, ye, as I, have rest,
Among us all I rede[282] we cast
To bring this thief to dede.[283]
Look that we have what we need too
For to hold strait this shrew.

_1st Torturer._ That was a noble rede;
Lo, here I have a band,
If need be, to bind his hand;
This thong, I trow, will last.

_2nd Torturer._ And one to the other side,
That shall abate his pride,
If it be but drawn fast.

_3rd Torturer._ Lo, here a hammer and nails also
For to fasten fast our foe
To this tree full soon.

_4th Torturer._ You are wise, withouten dread,
That so can help yourself at need
To thing that should be done.

_1st Torturer._ Now dare I say hardily,
He shall with all his mawmentry[284]
No longer us be-tell.

_2nd Torturer._ Since Pilate has him to us gi'en
Have done, quickly, let it be seen,
How we can with him mell.[285]

_3rd Torturer._ Now we are at the Mount of Calvary,
Have done, fellows, and let now see
How we can with him play.

_4th Torturer._ Yes, for as proud as he can look,
He would have turned another crook,
Had he the rack to-day.

_1st Torturer._ In faith, sir, since ye called you a king,
You must prove a worthy thing
That falls into the weir.
You must joust in tournament,
But sit you fast, else you'll be shent,[286]
Else down I shall you bear.

_2nd Torturer._ If thou be God's son, as thou tells,
Thou canst save thyself--how shouldst thou else?
Else were it marvel great;
And canst thou not, we will not trow
What thou has said, but make thee mow
When thou sitt'st in that seat.

_3rd Torturer._ If thou be king, we shall thanks adylle[287]
For we shall set thee in thy sadylle[288]
For falling be thou bold[289]
I promise thee thou bidest a shaft
If thou sitt'st not well thou had