Page:History of the four Kings of Canterbury, Colchester, Cornwall, and Cumberland.pdf/6

 she said, Well husband, what do the gentlemen say? are you a witch or no? A witch, sweet wife, no; they tells a body one looks more like a cuckold than a witch or a conjurer. Why say you so? replied she, I prithee go back and have them taken up for witches; for except they had been so, they would not have known you were a cuckold.

This merry tale so pleased them, that they set up a hearty laugh, which being ended, the second boy began his tale in the following manner.

In the days of yore, when this land was governed by many kings, among the rest the king of Canterbury had an only daughter, and she was wise, fair, and beautiful. Her father sent forth a decree, that who ever would watch one

night with his daughter, and neither sleep nor slumber, he should have her the next day in marriage; but if he did either, he should lose his head. Many Knights and Squires attempted it, but lost their heads.