Page:The Chronicle of Clemendy.pdf/187

 began "I come from the town of Burgavenny, from the Most High and Mighty Tosspot Ratabus, third of that name, from the worshipful Lords Maltworm of Wales, and from all the whole Court of Cervisage; and herewith I give you my authority and letters of credence." Then he hands his roll up to a yeoman of the guard who gives it to the Portreeve that he may read it. This done the Portreeve asked, "What is it you would have of me?" "I would ask you these things—In Primis: will you drive away from your borough of Uske all erroneous, blasphemous, heretical and strange doctrines, such as and especially that it is good for man to drink water rather than ale?" And the Portreeve answers: "I will do so, for a year and a day, while I hold mine office." Spigot Clerk, "Will you promote laughter, and joyous conversation, discourage gravity and pensiveness, and temper justice with jokes?" The Portreeve answers as before. Spigot Clerk, "Will you, to the utmost of your power be an abettor and fautor of the Most High and Mighty Tosspot, the Lords Maltworm and the whole Sokage of the Cwrw Dda so far as the High Tosspot aforesaid is concerned with you and your town?" And the Portreeve again answering that he will do what is required of him, the Spigot Clerk takes off his cap, stands up in the boat and cries out in a loud voice, "Then a good greeting to John, twentieth of that name, the right worshipful Portreeve of Uske. A fair voyage to him and a dry throat and wine enow for ten; may the plague consume his enemies, and