10
The Merry Tales of the
scythe. No, answered they, it is good to sleep in a whole skin. It is much better for thee to lose thy scythe, than to marr us all.
TALE X.
On a certain time there were twelve men of Gotham that went to fish; and some waded in the water, and some stood on dry land. And in going home one said to the other, we have ventured wonderfully in wading, I pray God, that none of us did 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 one told eleven. Said the one to the other, there is one of us drowned. They went back to the brook where they had been fishing, and sought up and down for him that was drowned, making great lamentation. A courtier coming by, asked what it was they sought for, and why they were sorrowful? Oh! said they, this day we went to fish in the brook; twelve of us came out together, and one is drowned. Said the courtier, tell how many there be of you. One of them said eleven; but he did
