Page:Merry tales of the wise men of Gotham (4).pdf/13

 Τ Α Ι Ε XIX.

IN old times, during theſe tales, the wives of Go- tham were got into an ale-houſe, and 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 go to the ale- houſe becauſe I cannot go to the church; and in the ale-houſe I pray to God to ſpeed my huſband, and I am ſure my prayers will do him more good than my labour. Then ſaid the ſecond, I am profitable to my huſband, in ſaving of candle in winter, for I cauſe my huſband and all my people to go to bed by day- light, and riſe by Jay-light. The third ſaid, I am pro- fitable in ſparing bread, for I drink a gallon of ale, I care not much for meat. The fourth ſaid, I am loth to ſpend meat and drink at home, ſo I go to the ta- vern at Nottingham and drink wine, and ſuch other things as God fends me there. The fifth ſaid, a man will ever have more company in another's houſe than his own, and moſt commonly in the ale-houſe. The ſixth ſaid, my huſband has flax and wool to ſpare, it I go to other folks houſes to do their work. The ſeventh faid, I ſpare both my huſband's wood and clothes, and fit talking all the day at other folks fire. The eighth ſaid, beef, mutton and pork are dear, therefore take pigs, chickens, conies and capons, being of a lesser price. The ninth ſaid, I ſpare my huſband ſoap, for inſtead of waſhing once a-week, I waſh bu once a quarter. Then ſaid the ale-wife, I keep all m huſband's ale that I brew from ſowering; for as I won to drink it almoſt up, now I leave never a drop.

T A L E XX.

ON Aſh Wedneſday, the miniſter of Gotham would have a collection from his pariſhioners, and ſai