Wife, I am come: I went a long way,
And here is the profit and gains of this day!
WIFE. Why, thou lout, thou fool, thou whoreson folt,[359]
Is this thy wood money, thou peevish[360] dolt?
Thou shalt smart for this gear, I make God a vow!
Thou knowest no more to sell wood than doth the sow!
HUSBAND. By God's precious, I will not unwisely suffer
To do as I have done any longer.
WIFE. Why, dost thou rise against me, villain?
Take heed I scratch not out thy eyes twain!
HUSBAND. Scratch, and thou dare, for I have a knife:
Perchance I will rid thee of thy life!
WIFE. Slay me with thy knife, thou shitten dastard!
Dost thou think to find me such a dissard?
By Cock's bones, I will make thy skin to rattle,
And the brains in thy skull more deeply to settle.
[_Here the Wife must lay on load upon her Husband_.
HUSBAND. Good wife, be content! forgive me this fault!
I will never again do that which is naught.
WIFE. Go to, foolish calf, go to, and uprise,
And put up thy knife, I thee advise.
HUSBAND. I will do your commandments whatsoever.
WIFE. Hence away, then, and fill this with water.
HUSBAND. O merciful God, in what lamentable state
Is he, of whom the wife is the master?
Would God I had been predestinate
On my marriage day to have died with a fever!
O wretched creature, what may I do?
My grievous wife shall I return unto?
Lo, wife, behold! without further delay
The water ye sent for here I do bring.
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