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on_o the_o next_o day_n after_o she_o take_v a_o whery_z and_o over_o thames_n she_o be_v row_v full_o merry_a the_o ten_o merry_a jest_n how_o this_o widow_n edyth_n deceive_v three_o young_a man_n of_o chelsay_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 at_o chelsay_n be_v her_o arrival_n where_o she_o have_v best_o cheer_v of_o all_o in_o the_o house_n of_o sir_n thomas_n more_o after_o that_o she_o have_v tell_v of_o her_o store_n and_o of_o she_o havyour_fw-mi and_o credence_n eke_o there_o be_v nothing_o for_o she_o to_o seek_v that_o can_v make_v her_o merry_a other_o even_n or_o morrow_n i_o pray_v to_o god_n now_o geve_v her_o sorrow_n at_o eltham_n she_o say_v that_o she_o do_v dwell_v and_o of_o her_o substance_n there_o she_o begin_v to_o tell_v two_o wolsted_a lome_n she_o have_v by_o her_o faith_n and_o two_o mill_n that_o go_v night_n and_o day_n a_o 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nothing_o but_o now_o and_o then_o a_o eye_n he_o cast_v at_o his_o love_n as_o she_o stand_v at_o the_o cubord_n when_o she_o perceive_v she_o speak_v never_o a_o word_n but_o step_v unto_o he_o and_o kiss_v he_o sweet_a say_v how_o be_v it_o with_o you_o i_o pray_v you_o let_v i_o weet_v thomas_n answer_v on_o this_o world_n i_o think_v cut_v a_o straw_n quod_fw-la she_o take_v the_o cup_n and_o drink_v therewith_o she_o embrace_v he_o be_v merry_a sweet_a heart_n she_o turn_v her_o arse_n in_o his_o lap_n &_o let_v a_o great_a fart_n and_o i_o love_v you_o not_o ê™_z she_o i_o will_v not_o geve_v you_o this_o ha_o ha_o quod_fw-la tomas_n you_o be_v a_o merry_a one_o twis_o they_o laugh_v on_o a_o row_n that_o some_o of_o they_o shake_v the_o widow_n desire_v the_o court_n to_o be_v break_v and_o each_o wight_n to_o his_o bed_n to_o repair_v the_o morrow_n be_v sunday_n and_o the_o wether_n fair_a this_o widow_n determine_v herself_o to_o walk_v as_o far_o as_o haly_n well_o for_o she_o hard_a man_n talk_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o sister_n that_o day_n profess_v and_o to_o offer_v with_o she_o she_o be_v dispose_v desire_v the_o young_a nun_n with_o her_o sister_n all_o to_o pray_v for_o she_o to_o the_o high_a god_n immortal_a that_o it_o shall_v please_v he_o of_o his_o abundant_a grace_n in_o the_o end_n of_o this_o world_n that_o away_o from_o his_o face_n she_o ne_o shall_v be_v separate_a in_o any_o wise_a to_o holy_a well_o she_o walk_v and_o once_o or_o twice_o she_o drink_v or_o she_o come_v there_o for_o the_o way_n be_v long_o the_o nun_n in_o
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
fool_n loe_o what_o it_o be_v to_o put_v a_o child_n to_o school_n to_o learn_v wisdom_n while_o he_o be_v young_a upon_o his_o way_n he_o walk_v so_o long_o till_o he_o come_v thither_o and_o begin_v to_o tell_v his_o tale_n neighbour_n quod_fw-la the_o scrivener_n let_v we_o drink_v some_o ale_n and_o speak_v no_o more_o in_o this_o matter_n for_o shame_n for_o you_o be_v beguile_v and_o i_o be_o the_o same_o nay_o by_o cock_n body_n i_o put_v you_o out_o of_o doubt_n say_v the_o draper_n you_o shall_v not_o laugh_v it_o out_o with_o i_o after_o such_o manner_n for_o i_o will_v have_v it_o in_o deed_n you_o shall_v have_v none_o of_o i_o by_o christ_n crede_fw-la quod_fw-la the_o scrivener_n get_v it_o where_o you_o can_v but_o harken_v what_o i_o shall_v tell_v you_o man_n let_v i_o round_o in_o your_o ear_n that_o no_o body_n know_v for_o and_o if_o it_o be_v abroad_o yblow_n we_o shall_v be_v laugh_v to_o scorn_n both_o wherefore_o neighbour_n look_v you_o be_v not_o wroth_a she_o show_v you_o she_o have_v plate_n and_o so_o she_o tell_v i_o but_o all_o the_o good_a she_o have_v be_v not_o wurth_o a_o penny_n i_o have_v it_o prove_v therefore_o leave_v your_o sigh_v this_o shall_v be_v good_a i_o tell_v you_o for_o our_o learning_n good_a quoth_v the_o draper_n in_o the_o devylles_n name_n a_o vengeance_n light_v on_o she_o and_o open_a shame_n by_o the_o holy_a mass_n quoth_v he_o i_o will_v have_v tde_fw-mi quean_n else_o it_o shall_v cost_v i_o the_o labour_n of_o all_o my_o man_n for_o the_o space_n i_o tell_v you_o of_o this_o fortnyghts_n day_n she_o shall_v be_v punish_v true_o as_o i_o you_o say_v to_o the_o ensample_n of_o all_o other_o &_o god_n grant_v i_o life_n farewell_o neighbour_n i_o will_v go_v dine_v with_o my_o wife_n say_v the_o draper_n sith_o it_o will_v be_v none_o other_o a_o dieu_fw-fr neighbour_n and_o fare_v well_o quoth_v the_o tother_o this_o draper_n go_v he_o home_o in_o all_o the_o haste_n and_o command_v his_o servant_n to_o take_v repast_n and_o after_o to_o ride_v as_o fast_o as_o he_o can_v to_o windsor_n and_o demand_n for_o this_o woman_n and_o if_o it_o so_o betide_v thou_o can_v she_o find_v take_v a_o officer_n and_o fast_v she_o bind_v see_v she_o bestow_v and_o then_o come_v and_o tell_v i_o and_o by_o my_o thirst_n short_o will_v i_o see_v what_o the_o law_n will_v say_v to_o that_o whore_n &_o thief_n both_o i_o pray_v thou_o make_v speed_n &_o take_v my_o boot_n of_o cloth_n draw_v they_o on_o thy_o leg_n for_o the_o way_n be_v deep_a the_o servant_n in_o haste_n upon_o his_o horse_n leap_v and_o ride_v to_o windsor_n by_o than_o it_o be_v night_n and_o at_o a_o inn_n where_o he_o do_v alight_v he_o hard_o tell_v that_o the_o widow_n be_v go_v where_o ne_fw-fr whether_o wist_v not_o man._n the_o seven_o merry_a jest_n who_o this_o widow_n edyth_n deceive_v a_o servant_n of_o sir_n thomas_n nevelle_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 riches_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 go_v to_o seek_v her_o friend_n the_o servant_n to_o london_n return_v again_o and_o on_o the_o next_o morrow_n she_o be_v see_v in_o south_n wark_n where_o she_o do_v abide_v the_o space_n of_o three_o day_n and_o then_o away_o do_v ride_v with_o carryar_n into_o sussex_n the_o sooth_n to_o say_v and_o at_o towton_n she_o arrive_v upon_o a_o day_n and_o there_o not_o far_o from_o a_o knyghtsplace_v nine_o day_n her_o tarry_n be_v in_o which_o time_n a_o serve_a man_n ha_o wnt_v that_o house_n now_o and_o than_o with_o who_o she_o begin_v to_o curry_v favell_z his_o master_n be_v sir_n thomas_n nevell_n she_o promise_v he_o to_o be_v his_o spouse_n and_o desire_v he_o to_o ride_v to_o her_o house_n to_o see_v her_o treasure_n and_o also_o her_o store_n i_o will_v quoth_v she_o send_v he_o before_o if_o that_o you_o will_v tell_v i_o what_o time_n you_o will_v fare_v some_o of_o my_o friend_n forsooth_o shall_v be_v there_o and_o eke_o my_o tenante_n as_o their_o duty_n be_v then_o he_o begin_v she_o to_o halse_z and_o kiss_n say_v â–ª_o heart_n root_n if_o it_o please_v you_o i_o be_o all_o ready_a and_o it_o be_v even_o now_o i_o wot_v well_o my_o master_n will_v not_o say_v i_o nay_o and_o if_o that_o i_o be_v forth_o a_o month_n day_n so_o that_o i_o tell_v he_o where_o abouts_o i_o be_o he_o will_v not_o be_v angry_a but_o in_o god_n name_n peradventure_o he_o will_v say_v where_o have_v thou_o be_v so_o long_o than_o and_o i_o make_v curtsy_n &_o hold_v my_o tongue_n he_o have_v do_v with_o the_o twinkle_n of_o a_o eye_n but_o after_o that_o i_o have_v tell_v he_o true_o that_o i_o ride_v with_o you_o he_o will_v be_v well_o content_a once_o consider_v the_o cause_n the_o fine_a of_o our_o intent_n well_o then_o quoth_v she_o on_o saturday_n in_o the_o morning_n let_v we_o ride_v forth_o our_o way_n fast_v and_o at_o senock_n there_o will_v we_o bait_v i_o fear_v lest_o my_o girl_n take_v some_o concept_n because_o that_o i_o be_o so_o long_v she_o fro_o it_o be_v xuj_o week_n and_o some_o what_o more_o sinc_n i_o garnish_v she_o with_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n she_o learn_v her_o book_n with_o the_o goodman_n rosse_n in_o senock_n town_n not_o far_o from_o the_o church_n you_o know_v he_o welynow_n for_o he_o do_v worch_z and_o make_v carpet_n now_o and_o than_o trew_n you_o say_v quoth_v he_o i_o know_v that_o man_n now_o in_o sooth_n i_o will_v go_v and_o ask_v my_o master_n leave_v and_o here_o be_v a_o ring_n which_o ay_o you_o geve_v upon_o condition_n you_o wot_v well_o what_o yes_o i_o warrant_v you_o quoth_v she_o i_o remember_v that_o then_o farewell_n honycombe_n till_o i_o see_v you_o again_o god_n be_v with_o you_o and_o shield_v you_o from_o the_o rain_n say_v the_o widow_n but_o look_v that_o you_o tell_v unto_o your_o master_n wise_o and_o well_o all_o our_o forward_a and_o leave_v nothing_o behind_o yes_o yes_o quod_fw-la he_o as_o you_o shall_v well_o find_v to_o his_o master_n he_o go_v as_o fast_o as_o he_o can_v and_o desire_v he_o of_o licence_n a_o on_o to_o ride_v with_o this_o widow_n a_o little_a way_n as_o far_o as_o her_o house_n at_o s._n mary_n skray_n and_o i_o trust_v in_o god_n omnipotent_a my_o labour_n in_o vain_a shall_v not_o be_v spend_v his_o master_n give_v he_o leave_v for_o to_o ride_v work_v wise_o quoth_v he_o what_o so_o ever_o betide_v and_o if_o that_o her_o daughter_n be_v bear_v to_o land_n than_o i_o advise_v thou_o to_o fall_v in_o hand_n with_o the_o child_n and_o let_v the_o mother_n go_v by_o god_n say_v the_o servant_n and_o peradventure_o so_o i_o will_v yet_o do_v when_o i_o have_v see_v both_o and_o upon_o the_o friday_n forth_o he_o go_v towards_o this_o widow_n jolly_a and_o amorous_a she_o be_v lodge_v in_o a_o honest_a man_n house_n that_o night_n they_o make_v merry_a with_o fill_v the_o cup_n fill_n and_o on_o the_o morrow_n they_o ride_v forth_o at_o their_o will._n to_o 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