And set a patch on either knee should last this moneths twain,
Now God and good Saint Sithe,[200] I pray to send it home[201] again.
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 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.