XII mery Iests, of the wyddow Edyth :: :: University of Virginia Library

XII mery Iests, of the wyddow Edyth

[by Walter Smith]

Smith, Walter

The fyrste merye Iest: declareth, how this faire & wel nurtured Damsel Edyth, was maryed to one Thomas Ellys: and how she ran away with another, by whome she had a bastard Doughter: and how she deceyued a Gentleman, who (for her worthinesse) preferred her to Sir Thomas Dēnys, before whom she auouched her Daughter to be Heire of faire landes.

The second mery Iest: how this liynge Wydowe Edyth, made a poore man to vnthatch his House, and bore him in hand, she would bestow the coueryng of it with Lead: and how she deceiued a Barbour, makyng hym beleue she was a Wydowe, and had great abundance of Richesse.

The thyrd merye Iest: how this Wydow Edyth, decyued her Hoste at Hormynger, and her Hoste at Brandonfery, and borowed money of them both: and also, one Mayster Guy, of whom she borrowed iii;. Marke.

The fourth mery Iest, how this Wyddow Edyth deceiued a Doctor of Diuynitie at S. Thomas of Akers in London of fiue Nobles that he lay out for her, and how shee gaue him the slip.

The fyfth mery Iest, how this wydow deceyued a man & his wife that were goynge on pilgremage: who layd out for her .iiij. Nobles: and how she deceiued a Scriuener in London, whose name was Rowse.

The syxth mery Iest, how this wydow Edyth deceiued a Draper in London of a new Gowne: & a new Kyrtell, and how she sent him for a nest of Goblets to the Scriuener that she had deceiued afore.

The seuenth mery Iest who this wydow Edyth deceiued a seruant of Syr Thomas Neuelles, who in hope to haue her in maryage with all her great riches kepte her company tyll all his money was spent: and then she went to seeke her Freendes.

The eyght mery Iest, how this wydow Edyth deceiued a seruant oft he Byshop of Rochesters wt cogging and boastyng of her great Richesse: who likewise thought to haue had her in mariage.

The nynth mery Iest, how this wydow Edyth deceyued a Lorde, somtime Earle of Arundell: and how he sent fiue of his men seruantes and a handmayden to beare her company, and fetch her daughter who as she boasted was Heyre of great Landes.

10.

The tenth mery Iest, how this Wydow Edyth deceiued three yong men of Chelsay that were seruants to syr Thomas More, and were all three suters vnto her for Maryage: and what mischaunce happened vnto her.

11.

The, xi. mery Iest, how this wydow Edyth: deceyued three yongmen of the Lorde Legates seruants with her great lying crakyng and boastyng of her great treasure and Iuelles.

12.

The, xii. mery Iest, how this wydow Edyth deceyued the goodman of the three Cuppes in Holburne, and one Iohn Cotes that ryd will, her to Saint Albans to euer see her lands and tenements, and how they were rewarded.

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The fyrste merye Iest: declareth, how this faire & wel nurtured Damsel Edyth, was maryed to one Thomas Ellys: and how she ran away with another, by whome she had a bastard Doughter: and how she deceyued a Gentleman, who (for her worthinesse) preferred her to Sir Thomas Dēnys, before whom she auouched her Daughter to be Heire of faire landes.

Thomas Ellys she maryed for a yeare or two,
And then left hym, and away dyd go:
With a seruant of the Erle of Wyltshyre,
The which payd her well her hyre.

By hym in aduoutry a childe she had,
Which dyed when it was but a Lad:
Than her Lemman cast her vp,
Go where she wold, gup queane gup:

She toke her way from thence ouer,
To a Towne called Andouer.
And there she made a Gentylman
Beleue that she was from hym gone;
To seeke her a friend, which in her right
Would defend her with mayne and might,
For great wrong she said she had:
And by mighty hand, was sore bestad.
And by mighty hand wrongfully rest
Both house and lande, and nothyng to her left,
And what so he were that of good Affection,
wolde her helpe: the whole disposition
Of her onely Doughter he should haue,
which is a great Heyre, God her saue:

This Gentilman went her right,
To Syr Thomas Dennis a worshipfull Knight

Informyng hym, how that it stood,
With this wydow, of gentle blood.
And how that she had a Doughter and Heire,
Tender of Age, goodly and fayre:
Which should inherite successiuely,
Both house and lande: and that good plentie.
And who that would helpe her to her ryght,
Should haue her Doughter day and nyght,
In honestie to vse: and her selfe both,
whiche thyng she bound with a great Othe.

The Knight hearyng this euery dell,
Bad the gentylman no longer to dwell,
But walke with her and set her Doughter,
And we shall commyn more hereafter.
Then they departed, and wandred right foorth,
Tyl they wt good speed cam both to Wainsworth
And there the gentylman, full well did espie,
How the coggyng queane, most falsly dyd lye.
Then would he no lenger geue heede to her talke
But bad her be packyng wt a vengeance, & walke
And neuer to come in his sight any more.
Syr, no more I wyl not (quoth she) & god before.