Page:An English Garner Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (Volume 1 1877).pdf/118

 and number, as Democritus might here again have had just cause to laugh. "If any man have found a pair of shoes yesterday in St. Mary's Church, or knoweth any man that hath found them, &c." Another bill was set up for a gown that was lost. Another entreated to have his cap restored. One lost his purse and girdle, with certain money; another his sword. One inquireth for a ring; and one for one thing, another for another. To be short, there were few in this garboil; but that either through negligence lost, or through oblivion left something behind them.

Thus have you heard a tragical story of a terrible fire which did no hurt; the description whereof, although it be not so perfectly expressed according to the worthiness of the matter, yet because it was not to be passed with silence, we have superficially set forth some shadow thereof: whereby the wise and discreet may sufficiently consider the rest, if any thing else be lacking in setting forth the full narration thereof.

As touching the heretic, because he had not done his sufficient penance there by occasion of this hurlyburly; therefore the next day following he was reclaimed into the Church of St. Frideswide [Christ Church]; where he supplied the rest that lacked of his plenary penance.

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