446 THE WIFE LAPPED
In bed she was layde, and healed full soone, -As fayre and cleare as she was beforne; What he her bid was quickly done, To be diligent y wys she tooke no scome. Then was he glad, and thought in his minde, Now haue I done my selfe great good, And her also, we shall it finde, Though I haue shed parte of her blood For as me thinke she will be meeke, Therefore I will her father and mother Byd to guest now the next weeke, And of our neighboures many other.
How the good man did lyd her Father and Mother to guest, and many of his neyghbours, that they might see his wiues pacyence.
Great payne he made his wife to take,
Agaynst the day that they should come ;
Of them was none that there did lack,
I dare well say vnto my doome.
Ye, father and mother, and neighbours all,
Dyd thether eome to make good cheare :
Soone they were set in generall,
The wyfe was dilligent as did appeare.
Father and mother was welcome then,
And so were they all, in good fay:
The husband sate there like a man,
The wyfe did serue them all that day;
The good man commaunded what he would haue,
The wyfe was quick at hand.
What now ! thought the mother, this arrant knaue
Is mayster as I vnderstand.
What may this meane, then she gan thinke,
That my daughter so dilligent is ?,
Now can I nother eate nor drinke,
Till I it know, by heauen blisse.