Swech dolful a dreme þe deuyl it todryue!

Þe mayster longith a lityl, and lascheth a lesse,

Twyneth hem tweyn, and towchith a treble:

Tik, tak! hic, hac! tiket, taket! tyk, tak!

Lus, bus! lus, das! swych lyf thei ledyn 20

Alle cloþemerys: Cryst hem gyue sorwe!

May no man for brenwaterys on nyght han hys rest!


I. RATS AWAY. Bodleian MS. Rawlinson C. 288, f. 113 (15th-century writing, blurred).