2nd Shepherd. Mac! undo your door soon.
Mac. Who is it that spoke,--as it were noon?
On loft,
Who is that I say?
3rd Shepherd. Good fellows! were it day?
Mac. As far as ye may,--
Good, speak ye soft!
Over a sick woman's head,--that is ill mate ease,
I had liefer be dead,--or she had any disease.
Wife. Go to another stead; I may not well queasse[159]
Each foot that ye tread--goes near make me sneeze[160]
So he!
1st Shepherd. Tell us, Mac, if ye may,
How fare ye, I say?
Mac. But are ye in this town to-day?
Now how fare ye?
Ye have run in the mire, and are wet yit:
I shall make you a fire, if ye will sit.
A horse would I hire; think ye on it.
Well quit is my hire, my dream--this is it.
A season.
I have bairns if ye knew,
Well more than enew,[161]
But we must drink as we brew,
And that is but reason.
I would ye dined e'er ye yode:[162] methink that ye sweat.
2nd Shepherd. Nay, neither mends our mode, drink nor meat.
Mac. Why, sir, ails you aught, but good?
3rd Shepherd. Yes, our sheep that we gat,
Are stolen as they yode.[163] Our loss is great.