One in the country having bought a cloak of one that stole it, or made
it by slight of hand, he was challenged for it; and being troubled in
mind, asked a friend of his, a very witty fellow in the parish, How he
might come off? His friend replied, he would tell him for a quart of
sack. So to the tavern they went, and having drunk a pint, he desired
to know how he might come off? When we have drunk the other pint of
sack, quoth his friend, I'll tell you how you may come off. The quart
being drunk off, he replied, he would not tell him till they were in
the street. So going out of the tavern, Do you see, quoth he, yonder
collour seller's shop, pointing as it were, with his finger; do but buy
a rope there and hang thyself with it, and I warrant thee thou shalt
come off, and never be troubled for that matter.