Tale Sixth.
A man’s wife of Gotham had a child, and the father bid the gossips, which were children of eight or ten years of age. The eldest child’s name, who was to be godfather, was called Gilbert, the second child’s name was Humphrey, and the godmother’s name was Christabel. The friends of all of them did admonish them, saying, that divers of times they must say after the priest. When they were all come to the church-door, the priest said—
“Be you all agreed of the name?”
“Be you all,” said Gilbert, “agreed of the name?”
The priest then said—
“Wherefore do you come hither?”
Gilbert said, “Wherefore do you come hither?” Humphrey said, “Wherefore do you come hither?” And Christabel said, “Wherefore do you come hither?”
The priest being amazed, he could not tell what to say, but whistled and said “Whew!”
Gilbert whistled and said “Whew!” Humphrey whistled and said “Whew!” and so did Christabel. The priest being angry, said—
“Go home, fools, go home!”
Then said Gilbert and Humphrey and Christabel the same.
The priest then himself provided for god-fathers and god-mothers.
Here a man may see that children can do nothing without good instruction, and that they are not wise who regard them.