I wolde bete her or that I drynke.

Bete her, quotha? yea, that she shall stynke!

And at every stroke lay her on the grounde,

And trayne[232] her by the here[233] about the house rounde.

I am evyn mad that I bete her not nowe, 15

But I shall rewarde her, hard[e]ly,[234] well ynowe;

There is never a wyfe betwene heven and hell

Whiche was ever beten halfe so well.

Beten, quotha? yea, but what and she therof dye?

Then I may chaunce to be hanged shortly. 20