When Diccon the bedlem had hard by report 5

That good Gammer Gurton was robde in thys sorte,

He quyetly perswaded with her in that stound[657]

Dame Chat, her deare gossyp, this needle had found;

Yet knew shee no more of this matter, alas!

Then knoeth Tom, our clarke, what the priest saith at masse. 10

Hereof there ensued so fearfull a fraye,

Mas[658] Doctor was sent for, these gossyps to staye,

Because he was curate, and estemed full wyse;

Who found that he sought not, by Diccons device.