and Iacie in [t]his tide—

It is worth three hundred pounds by yeare—

to prepare thy good cowhide.’

55

‘God a mercie, good fellow,’ quoth the tanner,

‘for this that thou hast done;

The next time thou comest to Tamworth town,

thou shalt haue clouting-leather for thy shon.’

56

Now God aboue speed well the plough,