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32 He with his carriage passed over the fields to her house, where he found her sitting and drinking with a Spanish knight, called Sir James of Castille, Doctor Skelton, and Will Somers; told her how he had brought up to London three Lancashire lasses, and seeing she was oft desirous to have a maid, now she should take her choice which of them she would have. 'Marry,' quoth she, (being a very merry and a pleasant woman), 'carrier, thou comest in good time; for not only I want a maid, but here be three gentlemen that shall give me their opinions which of them I shall have.' With that the maids were bidden come in, and she entreated them to give their verdict. Straight, as soon as they saw Long Meg, they began to smile; and Doctor Skelton, in his mad, merry vein, blessing himself, began thus:

'Domine, Domine, unde hoc? What is she in the gray cassock? Methinks she is of a large length, Of a tall pitch and a good strength, With strong arms, and stiff bones; This is a wench for the nones. Her looks are bonny and blithe, She seems neither lither nor lithe, But young of age, And of a merry visage, Neither beastly nor bowsy, Sleepy nor drowsy, But fair-faced, and of a good size; Therefore, hostess, if you be wise, Once be ruled by me; Take this wench to thee, For this is plain, She'll do more work than these twain. I tell thee, hostess, I do not mock, Take her in the gray cassock.'

What is your opinion?' quoth the hostess to Sir James of Castille. 'Question with her,' quoth he, 'what she can do, and then I'll give you mine opinion. And yet first, hostess, ask Will Somers' opinion.' Will smiled, and swore that his hostess should not