"And this shall be the forfeyture,—
Of your owne fleshe a pound:
If you agree, make you the bond, 55
And here is a hundred crownes."
"With right good will," the marchant he says,
And so the bond was made.
When twelve month and a day drew on,
That backe it should be payd, 60
The marchants ships were all at sea,
And money came not in;
Which way to take, or what to doe,
To thinke he doth begin.
And to Gernutus strait he comes, 65
With cap and bended knee;
And sayde to him, "Of curtesie,
I pray you beare with mee.
"My day is come, and I have not
The money for to pay; 70
And little good the forfeyture
Will doe you, I dare say."
"With all my heart," Gernutus sayd,
"Commaund it to your minde:
In thinges of bigger waight then this 75
You shall me ready finde."
He goes his way; the day once past,
Gernutus doth not slacke
To get a sergiant presently,
And clapt him on the backe. 80
And layd him into prison strong,
And sued his bond withall;
And when the judgement day was come,
For judgement he did call.
The marchants friends came thither fast, 85
With many a weeping eye,
For other means they could not find,
But he that day must dye.