28233Taking advantage of my three miles that I had 234danced the day before, this Wednesday morning 235I tripped it to Sudbury, whither came to see 236a very kind gentleman, Master Fortescue, that had 237before traveled afoot from London to Berwick, 238who, giving me good counsel to observe temperate 239diet for my health, and other advice to be careful 240of my company, besides his liberal entertain 241ment, departed leaving me much indebted to his 242love.

29243In this town of Sudbury, there came a lusty 244tall fellow, a butcher by his profession, that would in 245a morris keep me company to Bury. I, being 246glad of his friendly offer, gave him thanks, and forward 247we did set; but ere ever we had measured 248half a mile of our way, he gave me over in the plain 249field, protesting that if he might get a hundred pound, he 250would not hold out with me -- for indeed my pace in 251dancing is not ordinary.

30252As he and I were parting, a lusty country lass, 253being among the people, called him faint-hearted 254lout, saying, "If I had begun to dance, I would 255have held out one mile though it had cost my life." 256At which words many laughed. "Nay," saith she, "if 257the dancer will lend me a leash of his bells, I'll 258venture to tread one mile with him myself." I looked 259upon her, saw mirth in her eyes, heard boldness in her 260words, and beheld her ready to tuck up her russet 261petticoat. I fitted her with bells, which she merrily 262taking, garnished her thick, short legs, and with a 263smooth brow bade the taborer begin. The drum 264struck; forward marched I with my merry Maid 265Marian, who shook her fat sides and footed it merrily 266to Melford, being a long mile. There parting 267with her, I gave her -- besides her skinful of drink -- 268an English crown to buy more drink, for, good 269wench, she was in a piteous heat. My kindness she 270requited with dropping some dozen of short curtsies, 271and bidding "God bless the dancer." I bad 272her adieu; and to give her her due, she had a good 273ear, danced truly, and we parted friendly. But 274ere I part with her, a good fellow, my friend, having 275writ an odd rhyme of her, I will make bold to 276set it down:

31277A country lass, brown as a berry,

32278Blithe of blee in heart as merry,

33279Cheeks well fed and sides well larded,

34280Every bone with fat flesh guarded,

35281Meeting merry Kemp by chance,

36282Was Marian in his morris dance.

37283Her stump legs with bels were garnished,

38284Her brown brows with sweating varnished;

39285Her brown hips, when she was lag,

40286To win her ground went swig-a-swag.

41287Which to see, all that came after

42288Were replete with mirthful laughter.

43289Yet she thumped it on her way,

44290With a sportly hay-de-gay.

45291At a mile her dance she ended,

46292Kindly paid and well commended.

47293At Melford, divers gentlemen met me who 294brought me to one Master Colts, a very kind and 295worshipful gentleman, where I had unexpected 296entertainment till the Saturday. From whose 297house, having hope somewhat to amend my way to 298Bury, I determined to go by Clare, but I found it 299to be both farther and fouler.