IX
‘What news? what news, thou silly old man?
What news, I do thee pray?’—
Said he, ‘Three squires in Nottingham town
Are condemned to die this day.’—
X
‘Come change thy apparel with me, old man,
Come change thy apparel for mine;
Here is forty shillings in good silver,
Go drink it in beer or wine.’—
XI
‘O thine apparel is good,’ he said,
‘And mine is ragged and torn;
Wherever you go, wherever you ride,
Laugh ne’er an old man to scorn.’—
XII
‘Come change thy apparel with me, old churl,
Come change thy apparel with mine;
Here are twenty pieces of good broad gold,
Go feast thy brethren with wine.’
XIII
Then he put on the old man’s hat,
It stood full high on the crown:
‘The first bold bargain that I come at,
It shall make thee come down.’