(for I had well nigh forgotten) if the keeper of the
dead body doe not render on the morning following,
the corps whole and sound as he received the same,
he shall be punished in this sort: That is, if
the corps be diminished or spoyled in any part of
his face, hands or toes, the same shall be diminished
and spoyled in the keeper. Which when I heard
him I tooke a good heart, and went unto the Crier
and bid him cease, for I would take the matter in hand,
and so I demanded what I should have. Marry (quoth
he) a thousand pence, but beware I say you young man,
that you do wel defend the dead corps from the wicked
witches, for hee was the son of one of the chiefest
of the city. Tush (sayd I) you speak you cannot
tell what, behold I am a man made all of iron, and
have never desire to sleepe, and am more quicke of
sight than Lynx or Argus. I had scarse spoken
these words, when he tooke me by the hand and brought
mee to a certaine house, the gate whereof was closed
fast, so that I went through the wicket, then he brought
me into a chamber somewhat darke, and shewed me a
Matron cloathed in mourning vesture, and weeping in
lamentable wise. And he spake unto her and said,
Behold here is one that will enterprise to watch the
corpes of your husband this night. Which when
she heard she turned her blubbered face covered with
haire unto me saying, I pray you good man take good
heed, and see well to your office. Have no care
(quoth I) so you will give mee any thing above that
which is due to be given. Wherewith shee was
contented, and then she arose and brought me into a
chamber whereas the corps lay covered with white sheets,
and shee called seven witnesses, before whom she shewed
the dead body, and every part and parcell thereof,
and with weeping eyes desired them all to testifie
the matter. Which done, she sayd these words
of course as follow: Behold, his nose is whole,
his eyes safe, his eares without scarre, his lips untouched,
and his chin sound: all which was written and
noted in tables, and subscribed with the hands of
witnesses to confirme the same. Which done I
sayd unto the matron, Madam I pray you that I may have
all things here necessary. What is that? (quoth
she). Marry (quoth I) a great lampe with oyle,
pots of wine, and water to delay the same, and some
other drinke and dainty dish that was left at supper.
Then she shaked her head and sayd, Away fool as thou
art, thinkest thou to play the glutton here and to
looke for dainty meats where so long time hath not
been seene any smoke at all? Commest thou hither
to eat, where we should weepe and lament? And
therewithall she turned backe, and commanded her maiden
Myrrhena to deliver me a lampe with oyle, which when
shee had done they closed the chamber doore and departed.
Now when I was alone, I rubbed myne eyes, and armed
my selfe to keep the corpes, and to the intent I would
not sleepe, I began to sing, and so I passed the time
until it was midnight, when as behold there crept
in a Wesel into the chamber, and she came against