Hodge. Whereto served your hands and eyes, but this your nee'le to keep?
What devil had you else to do? ye keep, ich wot, no sheep.
Cham[50] fain abroad to dig and delve, in water, mire and clay,
Sossing and possing in the dirt still from day to day.
A hundred things that be abroad cham set to see them well:
And four of you sit idle at home and cannot keep a nee'le!
Gammer. My nee'le, alas, ich lost it, Hodge, what time ich me up hasted
To save milk set up for thee, which Gib our cat hath wasted.
Hodge. The devil he burst both Gib and Tib, with all the rest;
Cham always sure of the worst end, whoever have the best.
Where ha' you been fidging abroad, since you your nee'le lost?
Gammer. Within the house, and at the door, sitting by this same post;
Where I was looking a long hour, before these folks came here.
But, wellaway! all was in vain; my nee'le is never the near.
Hodge. Set me a candle, let me seek, and grope wherever it be.
Gog's heart, ye be foolish (ich think), you know it not when you it see.
Gammer. Come hither, Cock: what, Cock, I say!
Cock. How, Gammer?
Gammer. Go, hie thee soon, and grope behind the old brass pan,
Which thing when thou hast done,
There shalt thou find an old shoe, wherein, if thou look well,
Thou shalt find lying an inch of white tallow candle:
Light it, and bring it tite away.
Cock. That shall be done anon.
Gammer. Nay, tarry, Hodge, till thou hast light, and then we'll seek each one.