[50] Perhaps this story, of which we have here a fragment only, was
similar to the one narrated a little farther on. See Tale 57.
[51] Thavies Inn, near St. Andrew's Church, in Holborn.
[52] wooed.
[53] Orig. reads _that the colyar_.
[54] before.
[55] the seat of the commode.
[56] weened.
+ _Of the merchantes wyfe that sayd she wolde take a nap at sermon._
xxv.
+ A marchantys wyfe there was in Bowe parysh in London, somewhat slepte
in age, to whom her mayde cam on a Sonday in Lente after dyner and
sayde: maystres, quod she, they rynge at Saynte Thomas of Acres, for
there shall be a sermon prechyd anon; to whome the mastres answered and
sayde: mary! Goddys blessynge haue thy harte for warnynge me thereof;
and because I slepte not well all this nyght, I pray the brynge my stole
to me: for I wyll go thyder to loke, whether I can take a nappe there,
whyle the preest is prechynge.
By this ye may se, that many one goth to chyrch as moch for other
thynges as for deuocyon.