WISE MEN of GOTHAM. 19 Said he, gar her as ſhe'd ſing, whip where This ſhows that all men de- light in their fancy. TALE XIX. IN old times, during theſe tales, the wives of Gotham were got into an ale- houſe, and ſaid, they were all profit- able to their huſbands. Which way, good goſſips, ſaid the ale-wife? The first aid, I will tell you all good goſ- ſips; I cannot brew nor bake, there fore 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 day-light. The third Said, I am pro- fitable in ſparing bread, for I drink : 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 tavern at Nottingham, and drink wine, and ſuch other things as God fends me there. The fifth ſaid, a man
