His Wife. Who makes such din this time of night?
I am set for to spin: I hope not I might
Rise a penny to win: I shrew them on height.
So fares
A housewife that has been
To be raised thus between:
There may no note be seen
For such small chares.[130]
Mac. Good wife, open the hek.[131] See'st thou not what I bring?
Wife. I may let thee draw the sneck. Ah! come in, my sweeting.
Mac. Yea, thou dost not reck of my long standing.
Wife. By thy naked neck, thou art like for to hang.
Mac. Go away:
I am worthy of my meat,
For in a strait can I get
More than they that swinck[132] and sweat
All the long day,
Thus it fell to my lot, Gill, I had such grace.
Wife. It were a foul blot to be hanged for the case.
Mac. I have scaped, Jelott, oft as hard as glass.
Wife. "But so long goes the pot to the water," men says,
"At last comes it home broken."
Mac. Well know I the token,
But let it never be spoken;
But come and help fast.
I would he were flayn;[133] I list we'll eat:
This twelvemonth was I not so fain of one sheep-meat.