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Margery cries Simon if she was present how merry should we be; but I fear on the wrong side of the mouth. Well, said Jobson, I vow I long to see her; and I verily believe she would be glad to see me, I dare to say she will prove a good wife. Truly, neighbour Jobson, I do not know ; but if she have no better ending than beginning, I wish I had ended my life at the plough tail. No sooner were these words out of his mouth, but in comes Margery with her gossips whom Jobson wished to see, forsooth; he wished her joy, but Margery in a very woeful fury snatching up Jobson’s oaken staff from off the table, gave poor Simon such a clank upon the noddle, as made the blood spring, saying, is this your work, sirrah? Jobson the cobler seeing so sudden an alteration, was affrighted, not knowing how to escape. She turning about to the left, being well disciplined, said; Thou rogue and rascal it is you that ruins all the poor women’s husbands in the town, and therefore you shall not go unrewarded, giving him such licks over the back and shoulders, as made poor Jobson lay in his bed for a fortnight. Simple Simon all this while not having any power to run away, but stood like one half frighted out of his wits, and trembling before his bride, with his hat in one hand, and the flaggon
