Page:Merry tales of the wise men of Gotham (4).pdf/9

 goodwife went into the ſtable, Cut off the hories tall, wrapped the ſheers up in it, and then laid them un- der the pillow again. Her huſband ſeeing her comb- ing her head in the morning, marvelled very much thereat. The girl ſeeing her maſter in a deep ſtudy, ſaid, What the devil ails the horſe in the ſtable? He bleeds prodigiouſly. The man ran into the liable, and found the horſe's tail was cut off; then going to his bed, he found the ſhters wrapped up in his horſe's rail. He then went to his wife, ſaying, I crave thy mercy, for I intended to cut off thy hair, but have cut off my own horſe's tail. Yea, ſaid ſhe, fell do, ſelf-have. Many men think to do a bad turn, but it turneth oft-times to themſelves.

T A L E XIII.

A Man of Gotham laid his wife a wager, that ſhe could not make him a cuckold. No! ſaid ſhe, but I can. Do not ſpare me, ſaid he, but do what you can. On a time the had hid all the ſpiggots and fauſets, and going into the buttery, ſet a barrel a broach, and cry'd to her ſpouſe, Pray bring me a ſpig got and a fauſet, or elſe the ale will all run out. He fought up and down but could not find one. Com here then, ſaid ſhe, and put thy finger in the tap-hole Then ſhe called a taylor with whom ſhe had made : bargain. Soon after the came to her huſband, and brought a ſpiggot and faufet, ſaying, Pull thy finger out of the tap hole, good cuckold. Beſhrew you heart for your trouble, ſaid he, Make no ſuch bargain with me again.

T A L E XIV.

A Man of Gotham took a young buzzard, and in- vited four or five gentlemen's ſervants to il eating of it; but the old wife killed an old gooſe, ar