Page:Merry tales of the wise men of Gotham (3).pdf/19



old times the Wives of Gotham met together in an ale-houſe, and when they were aſſembled, they ſaid they were all profitable to their huſbands. Which way, good goſſips? ſaid the ale wife. The firſt ſaid, I will tell you all good goſſips; I cannot brew nor bake therefore I am every day alike; and I go to the ale houſe, becauſe I cannot go to the church; and in the ale-houſe. I pray for ſpeed to my huſband; and therefore I am ſure my prayers will do him more good than my labour. Then ſaid the ſecond, I am profitable to my huſband, becauſe I ſave him candle in winter, for I order all my family to go to bed at night with day-light, and to riſe in the morning by day-light. The third ſaid, I am profitable in ſaving bread to my huſband, for I drink a gallon of ale, ſo l care not for meat— The fourth ſaid I am very loth to ſpend meat and drink at home, therefore I go to the tavern at Nottingham, and drink plenty of wine. The fifth ſaid, A man will