And, Wyllyam, bring me your wife, said the quene,
Me longeth her sore to se:
She shall be my chefe gentlewoman,
To governe my nurserye.280
The yemen thanked them all curteously.
To some byshop wyl we wend,[783]
Of all the synnes, that we have done,
To be assoyld[784] at his hand.
So forth be gone these good yemen,285
As fast as they might 'he[785]';
And after came and dwelled with the kynge,
And dyed good men all thre.
Thus endeth the lives of these good yemen;
God send them eternall blysse;290
And all, that with a hand-bowe shoteth:
That of heven may never mysse. Amen.
FOOTNOTES:
[682] Bottles formerly were of leather; though perhaps a wooden bottle might be here meant. It is still a diversion in Scotland to hang up a cat in a small cask or firkin, half filled with soot: and then a parcel of clowns on horseback try to beat out the ends of it, in order to show their dexterity in escaping before the contents fall upon them.
[683] i.e. Each with a canvas bow-case tied round his loins.
[684] [Ritson's book.]
[685] Clym of the Clough, means Clem. [Clement] of the Cliff: for so Clough signifies in the North.
[686] [attend.]