University of Virginia Library

The iiii. Sceane.

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 or clarke
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 commaundemēt
I had not sit the space, to drinke 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 warrāt you whē truth is knowen, & told they haue their tale
The matter 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.
What worke ye gāmer gurtō? hoow here is your frēd M. Rat.

Gāmer
A good 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:

Gāmer
By gys master cham not sich, but yet chaue a disease.
Chad a foule turne now of late, chill tell it you by gigs.

D. Rat.
Hach your browne cow cast hir calfe, or your sandy sowe her pigs

Gāmer
No, but chad ben as good they had, as this ich wot weel.

D. Rat.
What is the matter?

Gāmer
Alas, 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:

Gāmer
A dame ich warrant you: she began to scold and brawle
Alas, alas, come hether Hodge: this wrtche can tell you all.