for a frolick go into France, there’s a gallant air, and we shall be very good company together, and fear not but that we’l make much of our selves; then when we come home again, you’l find your self so well, and both you and your wife will be thankfull to me as long as you live for my good advice of taking this journy.  To be short, the Cousins travell together, and Master Coldenough came home so lusty, fat and plump, that all his acquaintance, and especially his hungry wife, admired mightily that he was so fat and corpulent.

At this all the jesting-wags burst out into a laughter.  But having toss’d up their cups bravely about again, Peggy comes in with a fresh Kan, and Master Winetast begins to relate how that he used to be familiarly acquainted with a certain brave Judge, who had a bucksom bouncing Lady to his wife.  The Judge feigns a Letter, which at noon, as he was sitting at Table with his Lady, was brought him very cleaverly by his man.  He seemingly unknowing of it, opens and reads, that he must immediately, without further delay, go upon a journy; having read that, prepares himself with his man forthwith to be going.

But whilest the Judge was gone into his Closet, as seeming to take some important writings along with him; the Lady calls his man privately into the Parler, and forces him by threats of her displeasure to tell her, who delivered him that Letter; with a promise of her favour if he spoke the truth.  Whereupon the fellow trembling, answered, Madam, I have received it from my Lord the Judge; but he hath strictly commanded me to keep it secret, so that if he come to know that I have mentioned any thing of it to your Ladiship, he will have the greatest displeasure of the World against me.  Do not you fear anything, said her Ladiship, but be faithfull in what you do.

A pretty while after, the Judge having been some time at home, and walking with his Lady towards their Garden, they met with a drove of Sheep, having but one Ram amongst them:  Whereupon her Ladiship askt, Sweetheart, how comes it, that that one Sheep hath such horns, and the t’others none at all?  My Dear, said he, that is the Ram, the He-Sheep.  What, said she, are the others then all She’s?  O yes, my Love, answered he.  How! replied she, but one Ram among so many Sheep.  Yes Hony, saies the Judge, that is alwaies so, then (sighingly she said) alas poor Creature, how must you long then to walk some other Road!

There had been more related; for Master Carouser was entred upon a new subject; but because the Doctor came in, they were constrained to break of.

But Ellen the starchster, being busie in the Kitchin with the Mistriss about ordering the Linnen, having let the Doctor in; saith, Mistriss, the Doctor is come there, and is gone into the Chamber; by my truly Mistriss, I hear say that my Master hath got a fever.  O Nel, saith the Mistriss, this is clear another thing, this sickness is not without great danger; and it would be no such wonder, if my husband hapned to dy of it; and where should we then find the Pleasures of Marriage that some arch Jesters so commonly talk of.