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Should ask if Katherine should be his wife,

“Ay, by gogs-wouns,” quoth he, and swore so loud,

That all amaz’d the priest let fall the book,

And as he stoop’d again to take it up,

This mad-brain’d bridegroom took him such a cuff

That down fell priest and book, and book and priest.

“Now take them up,” quoth he, “if any list.”

Tra.

What said the wench when he rose again?

Gre.

Trembled and shook; for why, he stamp’d and swore

As if the vicar meant to cozen him.

But after many ceremonies done,

He calls for wine. “A health!” quoth he, as if

He had been aboard, carousing to his mates

After a storm, quaff’d off the muscadel,

And threw the sops all in the sexton’s face,

Having no other reason

But that his beard grew thin and hungerly,

And seem’d to ask him sops as he was drinking.

This done, he took the bride about the neck,

And kiss’d her lips with such a clamorous smack

That at the parting all the church did echo.

And I seeing this, came thence for very shame,

And after me I know the rout is coming.