On a certain time there were twelve men of Gotham that went a–fishing;
and some did wade in the water, and some did stand upon dry land. And
when they went homeward, one said to the other—
“We have ventured wonderful hard this day in wading, I pray God that
none of us may have come from home to be drowned.”
“Nay, marry,” said one to the other, “let us see that, for there did
twelve of us come out.”
Then they told themselves, and every man told eleven, and the twelfth
man did never tell himself.
“Alas!” said the one to the other, “there is some one of us drowned.”
They went back to the brook where they had been fishing, and did make a
great lamentation. A courtier did come riding by, and did ask what it
was they sought for, and why they were so sorrowful.
“Oh!” said they, “this day we went to fish in the brook, and here did
come out twelve of us, and one of us is drowned.”
“Why,” said the courtier, “tell how many there be of you,” and the one
said eleven, and he did not tell himself.
“Well,” said the courtier, “what will you give me, and I will find out
twelve men?”
“Sir,” said they, “all the money we have got.”
“Give me the money,” said the courtier; and began with the first, and
gave a recommendibus over the shoulders, which made him groan, saying,
“Here is one;” and so he served them all, that they groaned at the
matter. When he came to the last, he paid him well, saying—
“Here is the twelfth man.”
“God’s blessing on thy heart for finding out our dear brother.”