Mac. Sirs, drinkýs!
Had I been there,
Some should have bought it full dear.
1st Shepherd. Marry, some men trows that ye were,
And that us forethinkýs.[164]
2nd Shepherd. Mac, some men trows that it should be ye.
3rd Shepherd. Either ye or your spouse; so say we.
Mac. Now if ye have suspouse[165] to Gill or to me,
Come and rip our house, and then may ye see
Who had her.
If I any sheep got,
Either cow or stot,
And Gill, my wife rose not
Here since she laid her.
As I am both true and leal, to God here I pray,
That this be the first meal, I shall eat this day.
1st Shepherd. Mac, as I have weal, arise thee, I say!
"He learned timely to steal, that could not say nay."
Wife. I swelt.[166]
Out thieves from my once!
Ye come to rob us for the nonce.
Mac. Hear ye not how she groans?
Your heart should melt.
Wife. Out thieves, from my bairn! Nigh him not thore.
Mac. Knew ye how she had farne,[167] your hearts would be sore.
Ye do wrong, I you warn, that thus commys before
To a woman that has farn;[168] but I say no more.