Bertulphe.
¶ They make nothinge ready til they see all their guestes come in, that they may serue them all vnder one without more adoe.
William.
¶ These men seeke the neerest way to woorke, I see wel.
Bertulphe.
¶ You say true in deede: They doe so, and therfore often times there come all into one Stooue, lxxx. or xC. Footemen, Horsemen, Marchauntmen, Mariners, Carters, Plowemen, Children, Wemen, hole and sicke.
William.
¶ Marye this is a communitye of lyfe in deede.
Bertulphe.
¶ One kembes his head there. An other doth rubbe of his sweat there. An other maketh cleane his startops[[4]] or bootes there. An other belcks out hys Garlicke there. What needes manye wordes? There is as muche mingle mangle of parsons there, as was in the old time at the Towre of Babell. And if they chaunce to see a straunger amonge them, whiche in his apparell semeth somewhat braue, galaunt and gentlemanlike, they all stand prying vpon him with their eyes, gasing and gapinge as if some straunge beaste were brought them out of Aphrick, in so much as after they are once set, they be eye him stil an end and neuer looke of, as men forgetting thẽ selues that they be now at supper.