“But you shall not, Neighbour,” said the man who was on his way home to fetch his wife and child.
“And why shall I not, Neighbour?” asked he who was going to Nottingham to buy sheep.
“You see,” said the one, “that there is not room for my wife and child to pass, so keep them back, Man.”
“I care not,” said the other, “my sheep shall pass, so let your wife and child stand back.”
“They shall not pass.”
“But they shall pass.”
“Woo! Woo! back there,” shouted the one man, spreading out his arms and legs, as is done to keep sheep back.
“Woo! Woo! get on there,” shouted the other, flourishing his stick, and striking the ground first on one side and then on the other.
“Take care, or you will drive them over my wife. But if she is hurt you shall pay the doctor’s bill.”
“I will not pay the doctor’s bill. But you take care, for if you make my sheep jump over the side of the bridge and they are drowned you shall pay for them.”