A little hole on sic a wise made he,

All that they did there-down he might weel see:

And every word did hear that they did say. When she was proud, right wonder fresh and gay;

She called him baith heart, lemman, and love,

Lord God, gif then his courage was above.
So prelate like sat he into his cheer!
She rownis then ane pistill' in his ear;
Thus sportand them, and makand melody.
And when she saw the supper was ready,
She goes, and coveris the board anon;
And syne the pair of bossis has she tone,
And set them down upon the board him by.
And evin with that they heard the good-
man cry.

And knockand at the yett he cryèd fast. When they him heard, they were then all aghast.

And als Friar John was in a fellon fray ; And start up fast, and wald have been away. But all for nought he might nae way win

out.

The goodwife spake then, with a vissage stout,

"Yon is Symon that makis all this fray, That I might now have thought was wee. away.

I shall him quit, an I live half a year, That has encumbered us in this maneir. Because for him we may not bide together; I sair repent me now that he come hither. For we were weel gif, he had been away." "What shall I do, alas?" the friar gan say. "Into this case, lord, how shall I me bear? For I am schent 2 and Symon find me here." "Perchance," quoth she, "it maun be for

the best,

That I you hide till he be brought to rest; The kneadin trough, that lay intill the neuk, 3

I Whispers a speech. 2 Done for. 3 Corner.

It held ane boll of meal when that we buik: "1

Right intill it she gart him creep in hye, And bade him lurk there very quietly.

Syne to her maiden speedily she spake, "Gae to the fire, and the meats frae it take. Be busy als, and sloken out the fire. Go clear the board; and take away the

cheer.

And lock up all into yon almery; Baith meat and drink, baith wine and ale put by.

The cunnyngs, capons, and wild fowlis syne;

The mane bread als thou hide it with the wine.

That being done, thou soop2 the house right clean,

That no likness of feast-meats here be seen."

And syne withouten any mair delay,
She castis off all hail (her) fresh array.
Then bounèd her right till her bed anon
And tholed 3 him to knock his fill, Symon.
When he for knocking tired was, and

I wald the goodman wist that we were here!

fair!

She startis up and gettis light in hye; And opened then the yett full hastily. She took fae him his gear, at all devise: Syne welcomed him on maist hearty wise. He bade the maiden kindle on the fire, "And graith' me meat, and tak ye all thy hire."

The goodwife said right shortly, "Ye me trow,

Here is nae meat that ganand is for you." "How sae, fair dame? Gae get me cheese and bread;

And fill the stoup; hold me nae mair in plead;

For I am tired, and very wet and cold." Than up she raise, and durst nae mair be bold:

But covered the board; thereon set meat

And with that word he gave ane host3 anon. The goodman heard, and speired, "Wha is yon?

Methink that there is men into yon loft." The goodwife answered, with wordis soft, Yon are your awin friars brether tway." Symon said, "Tell me what friars are they?"

"Yon is friar Robert, and silly friar Allan, That all this day has gane with meikle pain.

By they came here it was sae very late, Curfew was rung and closed was their gate.

And in yon loft I gave them harbery.' The goodman said, Sae God have part

of me,

And bade them baith come down to the goodman.

Friar Robert said, "Fair maiden, by Sanct
Jame,

The goodman is full dearly welcome hame,
And for his welfare daily do we pray,
And we shall come down anon, ye may him
say."

Then with that word they start up both atone,

And down the trap deliverly1 are gone : Syne halsit 2 Symon soon as they him see; And he again them welcomed heartfully. He said, "Come ben, mine ain brether dear!

And set you down ye both beside me here, For I am now alone, as ye may see; Therefore sit down, and bear me company, And take you part of sic good as we have." Friar Allan said, "Sir, I pray God you

Yet would I give ane crown of gold for me For some good meat and drink among us three."

The goodman marvels meikle of this tale; And syne he said, "My heart will neir be hale,

But gif ye preif that practik, or we part, Be what kin science, nicromancy, or art." Friar Robert said, "Of this have ye no dread;

For I can do far mair, and there be need." Then Symon said, "Friar Robert, I you

pray,

For my sake, that science ye wald essay To make us sport." And then the friar uprose,

And took his book, and to the floor he goes.

He turns it oure, and reads ane little space; And to the east he turned first his face, And made ane cross; and then the friar couth lout,

Syne to the west he turned him right about: Then to the north he turned, and looked

down;

And took his book and read ane orrison.

And aye his eyne were on the almery,2 And on the trough, where Friar John did lie.

Then sat he down, and cast aback his hood;

crave?

Or what kind drink desire ye for to have?
For I have many sundry practiks seir3
Beyond the sea in Paris did I leir,4
Whilk I wald preif,5 sir, gladly for your
sake,

And for your dame's, that herbery couth6 us make.

I take on hand, and ye will counsel keep,
That I shall gar you have, or that ye sleep,
Of the best meat that is in the country;
And Gascon wine, gif ony in it be;
Or be there ony within ane hundredth mile,
It shall be here within ane little while."

he were wood.