--Humph!--She was a merry and a buxom lass; but thou"--
How far this interesting dialogue between the tavern-keeper and his
newly-wedded spouse might have extended it is impossible with any degree
of accuracy to set forth, inasmuch as another loud and desperate lunge,
extenuated to an inaudible mutter the testy rejoinder of "Giles o' the
Maypole;" this being the cognomen by which he was more familiarly
designated.
"Anan!" shouted he, "what the---- Save us!" he continued in a low
whisper, crossing himself, "I had nigh slipped an ugly word over my
tongue; and if it should be--Dame, I say, get up, and"--
"Nay, thou hast gotten thee two as nimble legs, by thine own reckoning,
as any knave i' the borough. I shall e'en keep to my bed, goodman,
though these guzzle-throats hammer till cock-crow.--They are at the
right side of the door, I trow."
Now, mine host of the Merry Maypole having taken to himself that last
and worst of all possible plagues for the remnant of his days, to wit, a
young and somewhat handsome-looking wife, thought it no less meet than
reasonable, and no less reasonable than a duty, at all times incumbent,
that the before-named helpmate should, if need were, get out of bed and
unlatch the wicket whenever good customers were astir; more particularly
as the first Dame Dauber, having the fear of a short but tough cudgel
upon her, did, at certain times and seasons, when there was the
requisite occasion, leave her liege lord to the enjoyment of his warm
and luxurious couch, and spread a table for the entertainment of many a
night-betrayed traveller.
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