Anonymous. Gammer Gurton's Needle
Electronic Text Center, University of Virginia Library
|
Table of Contents for this work | | All on-line databases | Etext Center Homepage |
The iiii. Acte. The i. Sceane.
[Enter: Doctor Rat. Gammer Gurton.]
D. Rat
A Man were better twenty times be a bandog & barke,
Then here among such a sort, be parish priest
Where he shal neuer be at rest, one pissing while a day
But he must trudge about the towne, this way, and that way,
Here to a drab, there to a theefe, his shoes to teare and rent
And that which is worst of al, at euery knaues commauindement
I had not sit the space, to drmke two pots of ale
But Gammer gurtons sory boy, was straite way at my taile,
And she was sicke, and I must come, to do I wot not what,
If once her fingers end but ake, trudge, call for Doctor Rat
And when I come not at their call, I only therby loose,
For I am sure to lacke therfore, a tythe pyg or a goose
I warrant you when truth is knowen, & told they haue their tale
The inatter where about I come, is not worth a half peny worth of ale,
Yet must I talke so sage and smothe, as though I were a glosier
Els or the yere come at an end, I shalbe sure the loser.
-40-
What worke ye gammer gurton? hoow here is your frend M. Rat.
Gammer
A Sood M. Doctor cha trobled, cha trobled you, chwot wel that
D. Rat
How do ye woman: be ye lustie, or be ye not wel at ease:
Gammer
By gys inaster cham not sick, but yet chaue a disease.
Chad a foule turne now of late, chill tell it you by gigs.
D.Rat
Hath your browne cow cast hir calfe, or your sandy sowe her pigs
Gammer
No, but chad ben as good they had, as this ich wot weel.
D. Rat
What is the matter ?
Gammer
A1as alas, cha lost my good neele,
My neele I say, and wot ye what: a drab came by and spied it
And when I asked hir for the same, the filth flatly denied it.
D. Rat
What was she that:
Gammer
A dame ich warrant you: she began to scold and brawle
Alas, alas, come hether Hodge: this wretche can tell you all.