Mosbie. Now, Alice, let’s hear thy news.

Alice. They be so good that I must laugh for joy,

Before I can begin to tell my tale.

Mosbie. Let’s hear them, that I may laugh for company.

Alice. This morning, Master Greene, Dick Greene I mean,

From whom my husband had the Abbey land,

Came hither, railing, for to know the truth

Whether my husband had the lands by grant.

I told him all, whereat he stormed amain

And swore he would cry quittance with the churl, 560

560

And, if he did deny his interest,

Stab him, whatsoever did befall himself.

Whenas I saw his choler thus to rise,

I whetted on the gentleman with words;

And, to conclude, Mosbie, at last we grew

To composition for my husband’s death.

[24]

I gave him ten pound for to hire knaves,

By some device to make away the churl;

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