432 THE WIFE LAPPED
And from the beds head vnto the beds feete, A cloth we had not vs for to decke, Neyther our couerlet, nor yet our sheete, That I pray God the deuell him checke; For I am ashamed, my mother deare, Of this nightes rest, by God in throne : Before our friendes I dare not appeare, Would to Gods passion I had layne alone !
Nay, nay, deare daughter, be not ashamed, For here is nothing done amis : They be more worthy to be blamed, That hereof thinketh shame y wys; For this is honesty for thee and vs all, And a new smock I will thee fet; And eke for thee, my sonne, I shall For thy true laboure a new shyrte get
And soone of these they were both sped,
The daughter, and eake the sonne also: t
Full quickly they rose out of their bed,
And with their mother they gan go
Abroade among their friendes all,
Which bid them good lucke, and eake good grace :
The cawdell was ready there in the Hall,
With myrth and glee for their solace.
Thus ended the feast with sporte and play,
And air their friendes, each with other,
Did take their leave and went their way,
From Bryde, and Bry degrome, with father and mother;
Which right hartely did thanke them tho,
So did the Bryde, and Brydegrome eke;
Yet when the friendes were all ago,
This yong folke abode with the mother all the weeke.
The father was glad to see them agree, So was the mother, by heauen queene; And sayd eche to other, so mote I thee, I thought not so well it should haue beene