xii_o merry_a jest_n of_o the_o widow_n edyth_n this_o lie_a widow_n false_a and_o crafty_a late_o in_o england_n have_v deceive_v many_o both_o man_n and_o woman_n of_o every_o degree_n as_o well_o of_o the_o spiritual_a as_o temporalty_n lord_n knight_n and_o gentleman_n also_o yemen_n groomes_n &_o that_o not_o long_o ago_o for_o in_o the_o time_n of_o king_n henry_n the_o eight_o she_o have_v use_v many_o a_o subtle_a sleight_n what_o with_o lie_v weep_v &_o laugh_v dissemble_v boast_v and_o flatter_a as_o by_o this_o book_n hereafter_o do_v appear_v who_o so_o listen_v the_o matter_n now_o for_o to_o here_o no_o feign_a story_n but_o matter_n in_o deed_n of._n twelve_o of_o her_o jest_n here_o may_v you_o read_v now_o new_o print_v this_o present_a year_n for_o such_o as_o delight_v merry_a jest_n for_o to_o here_o 1573._o â§_o the_o content_n of_o of_o these_o twelve_o merry_a jest_n follow_v the_o first_o merry_a jest_n declare_v how_o this_o fair_a and_o merry_a maiden_n edyth_n be_v marry_v to_o one_o thomas_n ellys_n &_o how_o she_o run_v away_o with_o another_o by_o who_o she_o have_v a_o bastard_n daughter_n and_o how_o she_o deceive_v a_o gentleman_n bear_v he_o in_o hand_n how_o her_o daughter_n be_v heir_n to_o fair_a land_n and_o great_a richesse_n ¶_o the_o second_o merry_a jest_n how_o this_o lie_a edyth_n make_v a_o poor_a man_n to_o unthatch_n his_o house_n bear_v he_o in_o hand_n that_o she_o will_v cover_v it_o with_o lead_n &_o how_o she_o deceive_v a_o barbour_n make_v he_o believe_v she_o be_v a_o widow_n and_o have_v great_a abundance_n of_o god_n ¶_o the_o thyrd_o merry_a jest_n how_o this_o widow_n edyth_n deceive_v her_o host_n at_o hormynger_n &_o her_o host_n at_o brandonfery_n and_o borrow_a money_n of_o they_o both_o and_o also_o one_o master_n guy_n of_o who_o she_o borrow_v iiii_o mark_n ¶_o the_o four_o merry_a jest_n how_o this_o widow_n edith_n deceive_v a_o doctor_n of_o divinity_n at_o s._n thomas_n of_o akers_n in_o london_n of_o v_o nobles_z he_o lay_v one_o for_o she_o and_o how_o she_o give_v he_o the_o slip_n ¶_o the_o five_o merry_a jest_n how_o this_o widow_n edyth_n deceive_v a_o man_n and_o his_o wife_n that_o be_v ride_v on_o pilgrimage_n of_o iiii_o noble_n that_o they_o lay_v out_o for_o she_o &_o how_o she_o deceive_v a_o scrivener_n in_o london_n who_o name_n be_v m._n rowse_n ¶_o the_o six_o merry_a jest_n how_o this_o widow_n edyth_n deceive_v a_o draper_n in_o london_n of_o a_o new_a gown_n and_o a_o new_a kyrtell_n and_o how_o she_o send_v he_o for_o a_o nest_n of_o goblet_n &_o other_o plate_n to_o that_o scrivener_n who_o she_o have_v deceive_v afore_o ¶_o the_o seven_o merry_a jest_n how_o she_o deceive_v a_o seruamt_v of_o sir_n thomas_n nevell_v who_o in_o hope_n to_o have_v she_o in_o marriage_n with_o all_o her_o great_a richesse_n keep_v her_o company_n till_o all_o his_o money_n be_v spend_v and_o then_o she_o take_v her_o flight_n and_o forsake_v he_o ☞_o the_o eight_o merry_a jest_n how_o this_o widow_n edyth_n deceive_v a_o servant_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rochesters_n with_o her_o cog_a and_o boast_a of_o her_o great_a richesse_n who_o like_o wise_a thought_n to_o have_v have_v she_o in_o marriage_n ¶_o theophilus_n ix_o merry_a jest_n how_o she_o deceive_v a_o lord_n sometime_o earl_n of_o arundel_n &_o how_o he_o send_v v_o of_o his_o man_n servant_n &_o a_o handmaid_n to_o bear_v hâ—r_a company_n &_o fetch_v her_o daughter_n who_o as_o she_o boast_v be_v a_o heir_n of_o great_a land_n ¶_o the_o ten_o merry_a jest_n how_o she_o deceive_v three_o young_a man_n of_o chelsey_n that_o be_v servant_n to_o sir_n thomas_n more_o and_o be_v all_o three_o suitor_n unto_o she_o for_o marriage_n and_o what_o mischance_n happen_v unto_o she_o ¶_o the_o xi_o merry_a jest_n how_o she_o deceive_v three_o young_a man_n of_o the_o lord_n legate_n servant_n with_o her_o great_a lie_v crake_v &_o boast_v of_o her_o great_a treasure_n and_o jueile_n ¶_o the._n twelve_o merry_a jest_n how_o this_o widow_n edyth_n deceive_v the_o good_a man_n of_o the_o three_o cup_n in_o holborn_n and_o one_o john_n cotes_n and_o how_o they_o both_o rid_v with_o she_o to_o saint_n albon_n to_o oversee_v her_o house_n &_o land_n and_o how_o they_o be_v reward_v ¶_o finis_fw-la ¶_o the_o preface_n in_o the_o city_n of_o exeter_n by_o west_n a_o way_n the_o time_n not_o pass_v hence_o many_o a_o day_n there_o dwell_v a_o yeoman_n discrete_a and_o wise_a at_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o flowerdelyse_v which_o have_v to_o name_n john_n haukyn_n descend_v he_o be_v of_o a_o honest_a line_n a_o man_n but_o of_o a_o mean_a stature_n â‹_o full_o well_o compact_v in_o every_o feature_n broad_o he_o be_v from_o pine_n to_o pine_v *_o and_o red_a in_o the_o face_n when_o he_o drink_v wine_n â‹_o black_a be_v his_o hair_n and_o hook_a his_o nose_n and_o now_o and_o then_o have_v the_o cough_n and_o the_o pose_n a_o sickness_n rain_v upon_o he_o aye_o â‹_o which_o trouble_v he_o sore_a night_n and_o day_n beside_o the_o cough_n a_o bloody_a flix_n *_o and_o ever_o among_o a_o deadly_a yex_z â—_o which_o bring_v he_o to_o his_o final_a day_n ‡_o but_o ere_o that_o time_n i_o will_v you_o say_v â‹_o he_o do_v espouse_v within_o that_o country_n in_o process_n of_o year_n wife_n three_o each_o after_o other_o in_o mirth_n and_o game_n woman_n of_o great_a substance_n and_o fame_n and_o namely_o the_o last_o wed_a wife_n with_o who_o he_o live_v without_o strife_n tâ—e_z space_n of_o full_a fyfteenâ—_n year_n by_o than_o he_o be_v lay_v on_o a_o bear_n a_o daughter_n he_o have_v within_o band_n of_o marriage_n by_o his_o last_o wife_n a_o worthy_a carriage_n which_o name_v be_v edyth_n at_o the_o fontstone_n of._n two_o woman_n and_o a_o man_n of_o blood_n and_o bone_n and_o when_o that_o her_o father_n be_v lay_v in_o grave_n â‹_o from_o fire_n and_o water_n she_o to_o save_v her_o mother_n aye_o do_v her_o busy_a cure_n as_o mother_n do_v by_o course_n of_o nature_n and_o virtuous_o as_o i_o have_v hard_o say_v â‹_o she_o bring_v up_o her_o daughter_n night_n and_o day_n charge_v she_o upon_o her_o blessing_n that_o she_o ne_o shall_v meddle_v with_o any_o thing_n that_o swoon_v unto_o good_a huswyfry_n but_o aye_o study_v to_o forge_v and_o lie_v and_o countenance_n it_o right_o well_o thereto_o â‹_o in_o every_o place_n where_o she_o do_v go_v this_o child_n obey_v her_o mother_n dear_a answer_v to_o she_o as_o you_o shall_v hear_v mother_n she_o say_v i_o be_o your_o daughter_n i_o will_v endeavour_n myself_o there_o after_o while_o that_o i_o live_v i_o shall_v resign_v â‹_o all_o such_o as_o pertain_v to_o virtuous_a dicyplyne_v my_o study_n shall_v be_v how_o i_o may_v conclude_v in_o thing_n the_o people_n to_o delude_v ¶_o thus_o be_v the_o mother_n and_o daughter_n agree_v now_o go_v say_v the_o mother_n god_n thou_o speed_n thomas_n ellys_n love_v thou_o well_o perfay_o and_o woo_v thou_o fast_o day_n by_o day_n his_o desire_n be_v to_o have_v thou_o to_o wife_n and_o to_o live_v together_o all_o your_o life_n wed_v he_o hardly_o spare_v not_o a_o deal_n â‹_o and_o take_v another_o when_o he_o have_v not_o his_o heel_n daughter_n meek_a merry_a while_o thou_o may_v for_o this_o world_n will_v not_o last_v always_o â‹_o she_o promise_v her_o mother_n to_o do_v full_a well_o every_o thing_n after_o her_o counsel_n ¶_o finis_fw-la the_o first_o merry_a jest_n declare_v how_o this_o fair_a &_o well_o nurture_v damsel_n edyth_n be_v marry_v to_o one_o thomas_n ellys_n and_o how_o she_o run_v away_o with_o another_o by_o who_o she_o have_v a_o bastard_n daughter_n and_o how_o she_o deceive_v a_o gentleman_n who_o for_o her_o worthiness_n prefer_v she_o to_o sir_n thomas_n dennys_n before_o who_o she_o avouch_v her_o daughter_n to_o be_v heir_n of_o fair_a land_n thomas_n ellys_n she_o marry_v for_o a_o year_n or_o two_o and_o then_o leave_v he_o and_o away_o do_v go_v with_o a_o servant_n of_o the_o earl_n of_o wyltshyre_n the_o which_o pay_v she_o well_o her_o hire_n by_o he_o in_o adultery_n a_o child_n she_o have_v which_o die_v when_o it_o be_v but_o a_o lad_n than_o her_o leman_n cast_v she_o up_o go_v where_o she_o will_v gup_n quean_n gup_n she_o take_v her_o way_n from_o thence_o over_o to_o a_o town_n call_v andover_v and_o there_o she_o make_v a_o gentylman_n believe_v that_o she_o be_v from_o he_o go_v to_o seek_v she_o a_o friend_n which_o in_o her_o right_n will_v defend_v she_o with_o main_n and_o might_n for_o great_a wrong_n she_o say_v she_o have_v and_o by_o mighty_a hand_n be_v sore_o bestead_v and_o by_o mighty_a hand_n
wrongful_o rest_v both_o house_n and_o land_n and_o nothing_o to_o her_o left_a and_o what_o so_o he_o be_v that_o of_o good_a affection_n will_v her_o help_n the_o whole_a disposition_n of_o her_o only_a daughter_n he_o shall_v have_v which_o be_v a_o great_a heir_n god_n she_o save_v this_o gentleman_n go_v she_o right_n to_o sir_n thomas_n dennis_n a_o worshipful_a knight_n inform_v he_o how_o that_o it_o stand_v with_o this_o widow_n of_o gentle_a blood_n and_o how_o that_o she_o have_v a_o daughter_n and_o heir_n tender_v of_o age_n goodly_a and_o fair_a which_o shall_v inherit_v successive_o both_o house_n and_o land_n and_o that_o good_a plenty_n and_o who_o that_o will_v help_v she_o to_o her_o right_a shall_v have_v her_o daughter_n day_n and_o night_n in_o honesty_n to_o use_v and_o herself_o both_o which_o thing_n she_o bind_v with_o a_o great_a oath_n ¶_o the_o knight_n hear_n this_o every_o dell_n bid_v the_o gentleman_n no_o long_o to_o dwell_v but_o walk_v with_o she_o and_o fetch_v her_o daughter_n and_o we_o shall_v common_v more_o hereafter_o then_o they_o depart_v and_o wander_v right_o forth_o till_o they_o with_o good_a speed_n come_v both_o to_o wainsworth_n and_o there_o the_o gentleman_n full_a well_o do_v espy_v how_o the_o cog_n quean_n most_o false_o do_v lie_v then_o will_v he_o not_o long_o geve_v heed_n to_o her_o talk_n but_o bid_v she_o be_v packing_a with_o a_o vengeance_n &_o walk_v and_o never_o to_o come_v in_o his_o sight_n any_o more_o sir_n no_o more_o i_o will_v not_o quoth_v she_o &_o god_n before_o the_o second_o merry_a jest_n how_o this_o li_a widow_n edyth_n make_v a_o poor_a man_n to_o unthatch_n his_o house_n and_o bear_v he_o in_o hand_n she_o will_v bestow_v the_o cover_a of_o it_o with_o lead_n and_o how_o she_o deceive_v a_o barbour_n make_v he_o believe_v she_o be_v a_o widow_n and_o have_v great_a abundance_n of_o richesse_n from_o wainsworth_n than_o she_o take_v her_o way_n to_o lieu_n where_o they_o the_o lord_n chamberlain_n lay_v and_o not_o far_o from_o his_o place_n a_o good_a long_a space_n in_o a_o poor_a man_n house_n lodge_v she_o be_v and_o be_v in_o good_a credence_n with_o he_o in_o deed_n she_o see_v the_o house_n cover_v with_o reed_n say_v to_o her_o host_n upon_o a_o day_n my_o host_n quoth_v she_o next_o to_o the_o high_a way_n take_v you_o the_o thak_n of_o your_o house_n a_o down_o it_o be_v a_o foul_a sight_n butt_a on_o the_o town_n have_v it_o away_o fast_o leave_v the_o rafter_n bare_a and_o for_o a_o new_a cover_n take_v you_o no_o care_n it_o shall_v be_v hill_v again_o ere_o it_o be_v long_o but_o look_v you_o well_o that_o the_o rafter_n be_v strong_a for_o i_o tell_v you_o they_o shall_v bear_v a_o great_a weight_n host_n quoth_v she_o i_o swear_v by_o this_o light_n i_o will_v have_v that_o end_n cover_v with_o lead_n come_v never_o such_o a_o cover_n over_o thy_o head_n nor_o none_o of_o thy_o kin_n i_o may_v say_v to_o thou_o it_o lie_v in_o my_o store_n house_n so_o may_v i_o thou_o in_o fair_a plain_a roll_n new_a melt_v with_o gleed_n my_o plommer_n bestow_v it_o i_o pray_v god_n he_o speed_n a_o honest_a man_n be_v he_o and_o expert_a in_o that_o art_n the_o self_n sâ—me_a day_n that_o he_o do_v depart_v a_o way_n from_o my_o house_n i_o can_v tell_v where_o many_o a_o fair_a noble_a with_o he_o he_o do_v bear_v her_o host_n when_o be_v have_v hard_o this_o tale_n with_o his_o hand_n his_o cap_n he_o begin_v avale_fw-mi and_o with_o his_o knee_n flex_v say_v unto_o she_o there_o i_o cry_v you_o mercy_n mistress_n what_o do_v you_o here_o in_o this_o poor_a cottage_n which_o be_v not_o meet_v for_o you_o hold_v thy_o peace_n quoth_v she_o for_o i_o will_v not_o be_v know_v what_o i_o be_o as_o yet_o â–ª_o and_o for_o consideration_n go_v thou_o thy_o way_n and_o work_v after_o the_o fashion_n as_o i_o have_v say_v &_o look_v thou_o speak_v no_o word_n but_o be_v none_o of_o my_o lord_n servant_n at_o board_n with_o you_o quoth_v she_o nor_o hawnte_v they_o not_o hear_v it_o be_v like_o that_o they_o shall_v for_o you_o have_v good_a beer_n yes_o quoth_v her_o host_n now_o and_o then_o among_o my_o lord_n barbour_n be_v here_o with_o many_o a_o good_a song_n a_o lively_a young_a man_n i_o tell_v you_o &_o full_a of_o courage_n sometime_o we_o have_v here_o our_o whte_a wine_n with_o borag_n and_o water_n pipe_v hot_a out_o of_o the_o gleed_n we_o chat_v and_o laugh_v it_o out_o so_o god_n i_o speed_n mistress_n folk_n must_v need_v be_v merry_a sometime_o host_n you_o say_v true_a by_o holy_a saint_n sym_n quod_fw-la the_o widow_n but_o let_v we_o go_v to_o dinner_n it_o be_v twelve_o of_o the_o cloak_n and_o somewhat_o over_o into_o the_o house_n they_o go_v and_o take_v refection_n and_o after_o they_o fall_v in_o further_a communication_n this_o young_a man_n that_o barber_n as_o he_o be_v accustom_v come_v in_o sudden_o and_o bid_v they_o god_n speed_n welcome_o my_o guest_n quod_fw-la the_o good_a man_n of_o that_o house_n how_o have_v you_o do_v since_o we_o eat_v the_o souse_z the_o last_o night_n you_o remember_v to_o bedward_o tut_o and_o it_o be_v a_o stone_n never_o so_o hard_o quoth_v this_o barber_n it_o shall_v digest_v with_o i_o for_o sometime_o when_o it_o will_v not_o forge_v i_o drink_v a_o little_a lamp_n oil_n &_o cast_v up_o my_o gorge_n and_o then_o forth_o with_o i_o be_o as_o hole_n as_o a_o trout_n but_o host_n quoth_v he_o what_o woman_n go_v out_o at_o the_o door_n now_o do_v you_o know_v she_o well_o by_o god_n body_n thomas_n barber_n i_o shall_v thou_o tell_v she_o be_v a_o widow_n of_o late_o come_v to_o town_n but_o at_o all_o adventure_n i_o have_v lever_n than_o my_o gown_n thou_o be_v sure_a to_o she_o for_o she_o to_o i_o say_v she_o be_v worth_a a._n m._n li._n and_o every_o man_n pay_v beside_o land_n i_o can_v tell_v how_o much_o the_o barber_n begin_v to_o claw_v there_o it_o do_v not_o i_o hold_v your_o peace_n quoth_v he_o she_o come_v in_o again_o mistress_n say_v thomas_n will_v it_o please_v you_o to_o drink_v and_o be_v you_o merry_a and_o use_v not_o to_o think_v mendoza_n seem_v it_o become_v a_o well_o favour_a wight_n and_o namely_o a_o woman_n to_o be_v glad_a and_o light_a young_a man_n quoth_v she_o i_o thank_v god_n of_o his_o loan_n i_o have_v no_o great_a cause_n to_o make_v any_o moan_n i_o knowledge_n this_o that_o god_n have_v endue_v i_o a_o hundred_o fold_n better_o than_o i_o be_o worthy_a and_o i_o pray_v to_o he_o that_o i_o never_o do_v the_o thing_n which_o be_v contrary_a unto_o his_o high_a please_a god_n blessig_n have_v you_o say_v thomas_n barber_n forsooth_o you_o speak_v like_o a_o good_a christian_n creature_n but_o let_v we_o leave_v all_o this_o &_o make_v some_o good_a cheer_n ostes_z fill_v we_o another_o pot_n with_o beer_n quod_fw-la that_o barbour_n &_o bid_v this_o gentilwoman_n welcome_a mistress_n say_v that_o good_a wife_n this_o be_v all_o &_o some_o you_o be_v hearty_o welcome_a even_o at_o one_o word_n and_o therewith_o she_o drive_v the_o cat_n of_o the_o board_n and_o make_v room_n for_o a_o dish_n or_o two_o more_o this_o widow_n have_v under_o her_o chin_n a_o sore_a that_o surgeon_n call_v noli_fw-la i_o tangere_fw-la which_o when_o the_o barber_n do_v espy_v he_o say_v mistress_fw-la may_v i_o be_v so_o bold_a nay_o yet_o i_o will_v not_o touch_v it_o for_o my_o hand_n be_v cold_a i_o pray_v you_o what_o be_v this_o god_n save_o the_o mark_n a_o thing_n quoth_v she_o that_o i_o will_v take_v no_o great_a cark_n for_o surgery_n thereto_o for_o i_o be_v bear_v so_o i_o thank_v god_n whether_o i_o ride_v or_o go_v it_o do_v not_o greve_v i_o otherwise_o than_o you_o see_v and_o it_o be_v no_o great_a blemish_v so_o may_v i_o thou_o quoth_v the_o barbour_n but_o a_o little_a eye_n sore_o now_o mistress_n do_v you_o glad_o i_o can_v no_o more_o i_o trust_v we_o shall_v make_v better_a cheer_n than_o this_o and_o then_o he_o begin_v for_o to_o coll_v she_o and_o kiss_v so_o long_o they_o be_v dalli_v both_o day_n and_o night_n till_o each_o have_v other_o their_o troth_n yplyght_n which_o be_v the_o same_o day_n as_o i_o hard_o say_v that_o the_o thatch_n of_o the_o house_n be_v pull_v away_o and_o ask_v they_o be_v in_o holy_a church_n where_o christ_n workman_n do_v wurche_n but_o when_o he_o by_o long_a communication_n know_v her_o falsehood_n and_o dissimulation_n and_o after_o he_o perceive_v he_o be_v beguile_v in_o all_o the_o haste_n his_o wife_n he_o exile_v rate_v she_o with_o term_n somthe_a rude_a and_o here_o
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