With right good will! the marchant says:
And so the bond was made.
When twelve month and a day drew on
That backe it should be payd,60
The marchants ships were all at sea,
And money came not in;
Which way to take, or what to doe
To thinke he doth begin:
And to Gernutus strait he comes65
With cap and bended knee,
And sayde to him, Of curtesie
I pray you beare with mee.
My day is come, and I have not
The money for to pay:70
And little good the forfeyture
Will doe you, I dare say.
With all my heart, Gernutus sayd,
Commaund it to your minde:
In thinges of bigger waight then this75
You shall me ready finde.
He goes his way; the day once past
Gernutus doth not slacke
To get a sergiant presently;
And clapt him on the backe80
And layd him into prison strong,
And sued his bond withall;
And when the judgement day was come,
For judgement he did call.
The marchants friends came thither fast,85
With many a weeping eye,
For other means they could not find,
But he that day must dye.