Evil-Tongue.
Evil-Tongue indignant
Certes, he cried, you basely lie,
Cursed be the hour that saw you win
This spot; did I then take you in
That you should dare insult me so?12930
But your ill fortune ’twas I trow
To deem a simpleton dwelt here.
Be off! find lodgment otherwhere.
Ye hither come to call me liar!
Two sorcerers! who would work me dire
And cruel wrong, pour on me shame,
And all my ways and doings blame,
Is this the sermoning ye make?
My soul may all the devils take,
And God’s curse be upon me spilt
If, but ten days ere yet were built12940
These walls, the varlet came not here,
With seeming mild and simple cheer,
And stole a kiss from off the Rose,
Though if he further went, God knows!
Why was it given to my good care
Save that this crime notorious were?
Pardee, I’ll sound it far and wide,
And none shall dare aver I’ve lied.
A trumpet blast so loud I’ll blow
That every carl and quean shall know12950
How he once dared my hedge to break.
The Author.
False-Seeming then stood forth and spake:
