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the_o hand_n rise_v up_o laurence_n i_o give_v thou_o leave_v to_o stand_v where_o have_v thou_o be_v this_o long_a out_o of_o my_o sight_n thou_o shall_v bear_v office_n and_o my_o steward_n be_v for_o thou_o can_v knap_n down_o capon_n in_o the_o night_n and_o lurk_v low_o thou_o can_v make_v hen_n die_v sir_n say_v the_o fox_n that_o agree_v not_o for_o i_o and_o i_o be_o red_a if_o they_o see_v i_o afar_o at_o my_o figure_n beast_n and_o bird_n will_v scar_n nay_o quoth_v the_o wolf_n thou_o can_v in_o covert_n creep_v upon_o thy_o belly_n and_o catch_v they_o by_o the_o head_n and_o make_v a_o sudden_a show_n upon_o a_o sheep_n so_o with_o thy_o weapon_n weary_v he_o to_o dead_a sir_n say_v the_o fox_n you_o know_v my_o robe_n be_v read_v and_o therefore_o there_o will_v no_o beast_n abide_v i_o though_o i_o will_v be_v so_o false_a as_o for_o to_o hide_v i_o yes_o quoth_v the_o wolf_n through_o hedge_n &_o through_o bush_n low_a can_v thou_o bow_v to_o come_v to_o thine_o intent_n sir_n say_v the_o fox_n you_o wot_v well_o how_o i_o push_n and_o long_o from_o they_o they_o will_v feel_v my_o scent_n then_o will_v they_o escape_v suppose_v i_o shall_v be_v shend_v and_o i_o be_o ashamed_a to_o come_v behind_o they_o into_o the_o field_n though_o i_o shall_v sleep_v find_v they_o nay_o quoth_v the_o wolf_n thou_o can_v come_v on_o the_o wind_n for_o every_o wrinke_n forsooth_o thou_o have_v a_o wile_n sir_n say_v the_o fox_n that_o beast_n you_o may_v call_v blind_a that_o may_v not_o escape_v then_o from_o i_o a_o mile_n how_o may_v i_o one_o of_o they_o that_o way_n beguile_v my_o tip_v two_o ear_n and_o my_o
head_n foot_n and_o tail_n you_o must_v stretch_v out_o hang_v forth_o your_o tongue_n and_o close_v your_o eye_n twain_o and_o see_v your_o head_n on_o a_o hard_a place_n you_o lay_v and_o doubt_n you_o no_o peril_n that_o may_v appear_v but_o hold_v you_o close_o when_o that_o the_o carl_n come_v near_o and_o though_o you_o see_v a_o staff_n have_v you_o no_o doubt_n but_o hold_v you_o wounder_v still_o in_o that_o steed_n and_o look_v your_o tyne_z be_v close_o as_o they_o be_v out_o and_o see_v that_o you_o shrink_v neither_o foot_n nor_o head_n then_o will_v the_o whoreson_n carle_n trow_v you_o be_v dead_a and_o so_o in_o haste_n will_v take_v you_o by_o the_o heel_n as_o he_o do_v i_o and_o swinge_v you_o in_o his_o creele_n now_o quoth_v the_o wolf_n i_o swear_v thou_o by_o my_o thrift_n i_o fear_v the_o carrier_n carl_n he_o will_v i_o bear_v sir_n say_v the_o fox_n on_o loft_n he_o will_v you_o lift_v upon_o his_o creele_n and_o do_v he_o little_a dear_a but_o one_o thing_n soothly_o i_o dare_v to_o you_o swear_v get_v you_o that_o herring_n in_o some_o place_n sick_a you_o shall_v not_o need_n go_v a_o fish_v more_o while_o easter_n i_o shall_v say_v in_o principio_fw-la over_o you_o and_o cross_v your_o corpse_n from_o top_n to_o the_o fa_fw-it wend_v when_o you_o will_v i_o dare_v warrant_v you_o that_o you_o shall_v die_v no_o sudden_a death_n this_o day_n with_o that_o the_o wolf_n gird_v he_o up_o and_o away_o and_o cast_v a_o compass_n before_o the_o carrier_n far_o so_o lay_v he_o down_o in_o the_o way_n or_o he_o come_v naâ—â—e_v he_o lay_v the_o side_n of_o his_o head_n both_o hard_a and_o sad_a so_o stretch_v his_o forefoot_n from_o he_o and_o his_o head_n and_o hang_v his_o tongue_n forth_o as_o the_o fox_n he_o bad_a also_o still_o he_o lay_v as_o he_o have_v be_v dead_a care_v nothing_o of_o the_o carl_n favour_n nor_o feud_n but_o ever_o upon_o the_o neckherring_n he_o think_v and_o quite_o forget_v the_o fox_n and_o all_o his_o wrinke_n 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flatter_v with_o folk_n as_o they_o shall_v die_v never_o â–ª_o yet_o suddenly_z man_n see_v it_o oft_o dissever_v with_o they_o that_o think_v to_o â—ll_a at_o length_n the_o seâ—ke_n death_n come_v behind_o and_o â—â—ps_v they_o by_o the_o neck_n the_o get_n of_o gold_n make_v many_o so_o blind_a that_o set_v on_o avarice_n their_o feâ—â—citce_n that_o they_o forget_v the_o carrier_n come_v behind_o to_o strike_v they_o off_o what_o â—â—aâ—e_v so_o ere_o they_o be_v what_o be_v more_o dark_a than_o blind_a prosperiter_fw-la wherefore_o i_o council_n â—â—â—che_v man_n to_o have_v mind_n of_o the_o neckherring_n interpret_v in_o this_o kind_n finis_fw-la the_o excellent_a tale_n of_o the_o wily_a laurence_n fox_n that_o beguile_v the_o covetous_a crafty_a wolâ—e_n with_o the_o shadow_n of_o the_o moon_n in_o elder_a day_n as_o esope_n can_v declare_v there_o be_v a_o husband_n man_n which_o have_v a_o â—low_n to_o â—â—eare_v his_o use_n be_v aâ—_z in_o morning_n to_o rise_v rare_a so_o it_o happen_v he_o in_o stir_v time_n of_o yearâ—_n early_o in_o the_o morning_n to_o follow_v forth_o his_o fearâ—_n unto_o the_o psough_a only_o his_o gadman_n and_o he_o his_o ox_n he_o bless_v with_o beâ—â—dicite_fw-la the_o driver_n cry_v hop_v hoâ—â—_n on_o height_n well_o draw_v my_o down_n so_o speak_v they_o fair_a the_o ox_n be_v lusty_a young_a and_o light_a and_o for_o fierceness_n they_o lay_v the_o sorrow_n for_o fair_a the_o husband_n than_o wear_v angry_a as_o a_o hare_n so_o cry_v and_o cast_v his_o patel_n and_o great_a stone_n the_o wolf_n quoth_v â—e_n may_v have_v that_o all_o at_o one_o but_o yet_o the_o wolf_n be_v near_a than_o he_o wenâ—_n for_o in_o a_o bush_n he_o lay_v and_o â–ª_o laurence_n bathe_v among_o rough_a shâ—ub_n be_v at_o the_o â—urrowes_n end_n and_o hear_v the_o height_n than_o laurenceâ—aught_v â—aught_z full_a rath_z to_o take_v yoâ—d_a offer_n quoth_v â—e_z it_o be_v no_o sâ—ath_n well_o quoth_v the_o wolf_n i_o hold_v thou_o herâ—_n my_o hand_n the_o carl_n word_n as_o he_o be_v king_n shall_v stand_v the_o ox_n wax_v more_o rulâ—_n at_o the_o last_o so_o after_o they_o lowse_z when_o it_o be_v somewhat_o late_o the_o husband_n homeward_o with_o his_o â—attell_n pâ—st_v then_o soon_o the_o wolf_n come_v hop_v in_o his_o gate_n before_o the_o ox_n and_o shape_z to_o make_v debate_n the_o husband_n see_v he_o and_o be_v somewhat_o aghast_a and_o backward_o with_o his_o beast_n will_v have_v pass_v the_o wolf_n say_v whether_o drive_v thou_o this_o pray_v i_o challenge_v it_o â–ª_o for_o none_o of_o they_o be_v thou_o the_o maâ—_z thereat_o be_v in_o a_o felon_n fray_n and_o sober_o to_o the_o wolf_n answer_v sine_fw-la sir_n by_o my_o soul_n these_o ox_n be_v all_o mine_n therefore_o iâ—nuse_n now_o why_o yâ—_n shall_v stop_v i_o consider_v i_o never_o offend_v â–ª_o you_o true_o the_o wolf_n say_v carl_n do_v thou_o not_o give_v this_o drift_n early_o when_o thou_o be_v ear_n â—n_n you_o bank_n and_o be_v therâ—_n any_o thing_n morâ—_n frâ—er_o than_o gift_n this_o â—arrying_v will_v lose_v thou_o aâ—_z thy_o thanks_n far_o better_a â—is_n free_o for_o to_o give_v a_o plank_n nor_o be_v compel_v by_o force_n to_o give_v a_o mart_n fie_o on_o that_o gift_n that_o come_v not_o with_o good_a heart_n sir_n quoth_v the_o husband_n a_o man_n may_v say_v in_o grief_n a_o word_n and_o call_v again_o if_o he_o advise_v and_o see_v i_o promise_v to_o steâ—le_v be_o i_o therefore_o a_o thief_n god_n forbid_v siâ—_n all_o height_n shall_v hold_v be_v give_v i_o my_o hand_n or_o obligation_n quoth_v he_o or_o have_v you_o witness_n or_o write_v
over_o this_o water_n bring_v this_o oath_n be_v make_v the_o mouse_n without_o perceive_v the_o false_a engine_n of_o this_o foul_a carp_a pad_n take_v thread_n and_o bind_v her_o leg_n as_o she_o her_o bad_a then_o foot_n for_o foot_n they_o lap_v both_o in_o the_o brim_n but_o in_o their_o mind_n they_o be_v right_o different_a the_o mouse_n think_v of_o nothing_o but_o for_o to_o swim_v the_o paddock_n for_o to_o drown_v set_v his_o intent_n when_o they_o in_o midway_n of_o the_o stream_n never_o go_v with_o all_o her_o force_n the_o paddock_n press_v down_o and_o think_v the_o mouse_n without_o mercy_n to_o drown_v perceive_v this_o the_o mouse_n on_o she_o can_v cry_v traitor_n to_o god_n and_o forswear_a unto_o i_o thou_o take_v upon_o thy_o faith_n right_a now_o that_o i_o without_o hurt_n or_o harm_n shall_v ferry_v be_v and_o free_a and_o when_o she_o see_v there_o be_v but_o do_v or_o dee_fw-mi withal_o her_o might_n she_o force_v herself_o to_o swim_v and_o press_v upon_o the_o toad_n back_o for_o to_o climb_v the_o dread_n of_o death_n her_o strength_n make_v increase_v and_o force_v she_o defend_v with_o might_n and_o main_n the_o mouse_n upward_o the_o paddock_n down_o can_v pres_fw-fr while_o to_o while_o fro_o while_o dowk_v up_o again_o this_o silly_a mouse_n plunge_v into_o great_a pain_n can_v fight_v as_o long_o as_o breath_n be_v in_o her_o breast_n till_o at_o the_o last_o she_o cry_v for_o the_o priest_n fight_v thus_o together_o the_o kite_n sit_v on_o a_o twist_n and_o to_o this_o wretched_a battle_n take_v good_a heed_n and_o with_o a_o whisk_n or_o any_o of_o they_o wist_v he_o clenchet_n his_o talen_n betwixt_o they_o on_o the_o thread_n so_o to_o the_o land_n he_o fly_v with_o they_o good_a speed_n glad_a of_o that_o catch_n pipe_v with_o many_o pew_n so_o lowse_z they_o and_o without_o pity_n slay_v then_o bowel_v they_o that_o butcher_n with_o his_o bill_n and_o belly_n draw_v full_a feat_o they_o he_o fleede_v but_o all_o their_o flesh_n will_v scant_o be_v half_o a_o fill_n and_o gut_n also_o unto_o that_o greedy_a gleed_n of_o their_o debate_n thus_o when_o i_o hear_v the_o reed_n he_o take_v his_o flight_n and_o over_o the_o field_n flaw_n if_o this_o be_v not_o true_a then_o ask_v of_o they_o that_o see_v morality_n my_o brother_n if_o thou_o will_v take_v advertence_n by_o this_o fable_n thou_o may_v perceive_v and_o see_v it_o pass_v far_o all_o kind_n of_o pestilence_n a_o wicked_a mind_n fraught_v with_o word_n fair_a and_o sâ—ee_n beware_v therefore_o with_o who_o thou_o match_v thou_o for_o thou_o be_v better_o go_v to_o cart_n and_o plough_n and_o all_o thy_o day_n to_o delve_v in_o wet_a and_o dry_a than_o to_o be_v match_v with_o a_o wicked_a fellow_n a_o false_a intent_n under_o a_o fair_a pretence_n have_v cause_v many_o a_o innocent_a to_o die_v great_a folly_n it_o be_v to_o give_v oversoone_o credence_n to_o all_o that_o speak_v fair_o unto_o thou_o a_o silken_a tongue_n a_o heart_n of_o cruelty_n smite_v more_o sore_a than_o any_o shot_n of_o arrow_n brother_n if_o thou_o be_v wise_a i_o read_v thou_o flee_v to_o match_v thou_o with_o a_o feign_a froward_a fellow_n i_o warrant_v thou_o also_o it_o be_v great_a negligence_n to_o bind_v thou_o fast_o where_o thou_o be_v frank_a &_o free_a when_o thou_o be_v bind_v thou_o can_v make_v no_o defence_n to_o save_v thy_o life_n nor_o yet_o thy_o liberty_n this_o simple_a counsel_n brother_n take_v of_o i_o and_o it_o to_o con_v forth_o both_o early_a and_o late_o better_a without_o strife_n to_o live_v alone_o we_o see_v than_o to_o be_v match_v with_o a_o wicked_a mate_n this_o hold_n in_o mind_n right_o more_o i_o shall_v thou_o tell_v what_o by_o these_o beast_n may_v be_v fygurate_a the_o paddocke_n use_v in_o the_o flood_n to_o dwell_v be_v man_n body_n swim_v rare_a and_o late_a in_o this_o wretched_a world_n with_o care_n implicate_v now_o high_o now_o low_a while_o plunge_v up_o while_o down_o continual_o in_o peril_n and_o ready_a for_o to_o drown_v now_o dolorous_a now_o glad_a as_o bird_n on_o breere_n now_o in_o freedom_n now_o wrap_v in_o distress_n now_o hole_n and_o sound_a now_o dead_a &_o bring_v on_o beer_n now_o poor_a as_o job_n now_o roll_v in_o riches_n now_o gown_n gay_a now_o rag_n lay_v in_o press_n now_o full_a as_o pease_n now_o hungry_a as_o the_o hound_n now_o hoist_v on_o wheel_n now_o throw_v upon_o the_o ground_n this_o little_a mouse_n here_o knit_v thus_o by_o the_o shin_n the_o soul_n of_o man_n betoken_v may_v indeed_o bind_v and_o from_o the_o body_n may_v not_o win_v while_o cruel_a death_n come_v break_v of_o life_n the_o thread_n the_o which_o to_o drown_v shall_v ever_o stand_v in_o dread_n of_o carnal_a lust_n by_o the_o suggestion_n which_o draw_v the_o soul_n continual_o a_o down_o the_o water_n be_v the_o world_n aye_o welter_v with_o many_o wave_n of_o tribulation_n in_o which_o the_o soul_n and_o body_n be_v stir_v stand_v right_a different_a in_o their_o opinion_n the_o soul_n upward_o the_o body_n preace_n down_o the_o soul_n right_o fain_o will_v be_v bring_v over_o iwis_o out_o of_o this_o world_n into_o the_o heaven_n bliss_n the_o right_n be_v death_n that_o come_v sudden_o as_o do_v a_o thief_n and_o end_v soon_o the_o battle_n be_v vigilant_a therefore_o and_o still_o ready_a for_o man_n life_n be_v brickle_a and_o aye_o mortal_a my_o friend_n therefore_o make_v thou_o a_o strong_a wall_n of_o faith_n in_o christ_n for_o death_n will_v the_o assay_n thou_o know_v not_o when_o even_o morrow_n or_o midday_n adieu_o my_o friend_n and_o if_o that_o any_o ask_v of_o these_o fable_n so_o short_o i_o conclude_v say_v thou_o i_o leave_v the_o rest_n unto_o the_o learn_n task_n to_o make_v example_n and_o some_o simlitude_n now_o christ_n for_o we_o that_o die_v on_o the_o rood_n of_o soul_n and_o life_n as_o thou_o be_v saviour_n grant_v we_o to_o pass_v into_o a_o bless_a hour_n finish_v in_o the_o vale_n of_o aylesburie_n the_o thirteen_o of_o august_n anno_fw-la domini_fw-la 1574._o the_o epilogue_n behold_v you_o man_n esope_n that_o noble_a clerk_n although_o of_o body_n yform_v wondrous_a ill_n his_o fable_n write_v with_o wisdom_n deep_a and_o dark_a to_o stir_v our_o mind_n to_o good_a which_o have_v no_o will_n by_o beast_n and_o fowl_n he_o speak_v to_o warn_v we_o still_o as_o fox_n wolf_n sheep_n dog_n cock_n and_o hen_n to_o stir_v our_o mind_n to_o live_v on_o earth_n like_o man_n it_o be_v write_v of_o old_a by_o author_n that_o be_v past_a that_o esope_n be_v crook_n back_v great_a belly_n &_o head_n crook_n legged_a splay_n foot_n &_o like_o a_o cow_n in_o waist_n yet_o virtuous_a of_o his_o life_n as_o it_o be_v seed_n who_o good_a example_n life_n though_o he_o be_v dead_a in_o each_o man_n mouth_n and_o shall_v do_v still_o for_o aye_o lo_o virtue_n bring_v forth_o fruit_n without_o decay_n thus_o as_o you_o hear_v ill_o shape_v of_o his_o body_n yet_o of_o his_o mind_n none_o perfect_a than_o he_o but_o mark_v his_o saw_n and_o you_o find_v he_o no_o noddy_n but_o perfect_a aye_o as_o perfect_a lo_o may_v be_v who_o lende_n you_o light_v good_a virtuous_a way_n to_o see_v then_o love_v this_o work_n and_o and_o read_v it_o at_o your_o will_n i_o but_o eclipse_v his_o tale_n of_o so_o great_a skill_n finis_fw-la