_How Tom used a singing man of a Cathedral Church in the West._
Once there was a cathedral singing man, that had very much anger'd Tom,
and had made songs and jests on him; whereupon Tom got upon his back
an ox-hide, with the horns set upon his head, and so lay in a hedge
bottom, waiting till the singing man came by, who he was sure must
pass that way: at last came the singing man, up started Tom out of the
hedge bottom in his ox-hide, and followed him: the singing man cried
out, the devil! the devil! No, quoth Tom, I am the ghost of goodman
Johnson, living hard by the church stile, unto whose house ye came and
sung catches, and owes me Five Pounds for ale, therefore appoint me a
day when ye will bring me my money hither, or else I will haunt thee
still. The singing man promised that day se'enight, and accordingly he
did; and Tom made himself brave clothes with the money, and sweethearts
came about him as bees do about a honey pot; but Tom wore a rope in
his pocket and being asked if he would marry, he would pull it out,
and laugh, saying, I have broken my shins already, and will be wiser
hereafter; for I am an old colt, and now may have as much wit as a
horse.