then he brought me into
a chamber somewhat darke, and shewed me a Matron cloathed in mourning
vesture, and weeping in lamentable wise. And he spake unto her and said,
Behold here is one that will enterprise to watch the corpes of your
husband this night. Which when she heard she turned her blubbered face
covered with haire unto me saying, I pray you good man take good heed,
and see well to your office. Have no care (quoth I) so you will give
mee any thing above that which is due to be given. Wherewith shee was
contented, and then she arose and brought me into a chamber whereas the
corps lay covered with white sheets, and shee called seven witnesses,
before whom she shewed the dead body, and every part and parcell
thereof, and with weeping eyes desired them all to testifie the matter.
Which done, she sayd these words of course as follow: Behold, his nose
is whole, his eyes safe, his eares without scarre, his lips untouched,
and his chin sound: all which was written and noted in tables, and
subscribed with the hands of witnesses to confirme the same. Which done
I sayd unto the matron, Madam I pray you that I may have all things here
necessary. What is that? (quoth she). Marry (quoth I) a great lampe with
oyle, pots of wine, and water to delay the same, and some other drinke
and dainty dish that was left at supper. Then she shaked her head and
sayd, Away fool as thou art, thinkest thou to play the glutton here and
to looke for dainty meats where so long time hath not been seene any
smoke at all? Commest thou hither to eat, where we should weepe and
lament? And therewithall she turned backe, and commanded her maiden
Myrrhena to deliver me a lampe with oyle, which when shee had done they
closed the chamber doore and departed. Now when I was alone, I rubbed
myne eyes, and armed my selfe to keep the corpes, and to the intent I
would not sleepe, I began to sing, and so I passed the time until it was
midnight, when as behold there crept in a Wesel into the chamber, and
she came against me and put me in very great feare, insomuch that I
marvelled greatly at the audacity of so little a beast. To whom I said,
get thou hence thou whore and hie thee to thy fellowes, lest thou feele
my fingers. Why wilt thou not goe? Then incontinently she ranne away,
and when she was gon, I fell on the ground so fast asleepe, that Apollo
himself could not discern which of us two was the dead corps, for I lay
prostrat as one without life, and needed a