Page:Merry tales of the wise men of Gotham (4).pdf/2

 ES#ES#****# *#f. JES#1. Τ Η Ε MERRY TALES OF THE WISE MEN of GOTHAM.

Τ Α L Ε I.

THERE were two men of Gotham, and one of them was going to Nottingham market to buy ſheep, and both met together on Nottingham bridge. Well met, ſaid one to the other; whither are you go- ing, ſaid he that came from Nottingham? Marry, ſaid he that was going thither, I am going to the market to buy ſheep. Buy ſheep! ſaid the other, which way will you bring them home ? Marry, ſaid the other, I will bring them over this bridge. By Robin Hood, ſaid he that came from Nottingham, but thou ſhalt not. maid Margery, ſaid the other, but I will. You ſhall not, ſaid the one; I will, ſaid the other. Then they beat their ſtaves one againſt the other, and then againſt the ground, as if a hundred ſheep had been betwixt them. Hold then there, ſaid the one. Be ware of my ſheep leaping over the bridge, ſaid the o- ther. I care not, ſaid the one. They ſhall all come ſaid the other. But they ſhall dot, ſaid the one. Then ſaid the other, if thou make much ado I will put my finger in thy mouth. A turd thou wilt, ſaid the other. And as they were in contention, an- other wife man that belonged to Gotham, came from the market with a ſack of meal on his horſe; and ſee- ing his neighbours at ſtrife about ſheep and none be- twixt them, ſaid he, Ah! fools, will you never learn