Diccon the Bedlamite, a half-mad mendicant, both knave and thief. A specimen of the metre will be seen by part of Diccon's speech:
Many amyle have I walked, divers and sundry waies,
And many a good man's house have I bin at in my dais;
Many a gossip's cup in my tyme have I tasted,
And many a broche and spyt have I both turned and basted ...
When I saw it booted nit, out at doores I hyed mee,
And caught a slyp of bacon when I saw none spyd mee
Which I intend not far hence, unless my purpose fayle,
Shall serve for a shooing home to draw on two pots of ale.
Gammer Gurton's Needle