Page:Merry tales of the wise men of Gotham (3).pdf/21

 we faſt always, for ye have not a good meal's-meat in the year. As for alms-deeds, what can they give that have nothing? In Lent, you muſt all refrain from drunkenneſs, and abſtain from drink. No, not ſo. ſaid one fellow, for it is an old proverb. That fiſh ſhould ſwim. Yes, ſaid the Prieſt, they muſt ſwim in the water I crave your mercy, quoth the fellow, I thought it was rather to be in fine ale, for I have been told ſo. Soon after, the men of Gotham came to shrift, and being ſeven in number, the prieſt knew not what penance to give them. He ſaid, If I enjoin you to pray, you cannot ſay your Pater-noſter: and is but folly to make you faſt, becauſe you never eat a good meal's meet.— labour hard and get a good dinner on Monday, and I will partake of it. Another man he enjoined to fare well on Monday, and another on Tueſday, and ſo on, that every one ſhould fare well once in the week, that he might have part of their meat. And as for alms deed, the Prieſt ſaid, ye be but all beggars, except one or two: Therefore beſtow your alms yourſelves.