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(illegible text)ear’st thou this, goodman copper nose? scholars know when time is, without babbling: We know when time is to (illegible text)k good sack, eat well, kiss our ⟨hostess⟩ and run on the score. But when time (illegible text) pay them, is indeed but seldom.
Whilst thus he merrily discoursed, about an hour after, the same noise began as ⟨before⟩ and the head said, Time was. Well Miles, this blockish head is the foolishest ⟨thing⟩ my wise master ever troubled himself ⟨about⟩. How would he have laughed, had he ⟨been⟩ here, to hear it prat so simply! ⟨Therefore,⟩ thou brazen faced ass, speak wiser, or ⟨I will⟩ ne'er trouble my head to awake him. (illegible text)was, quotha! thou ass thou! I know (illegible text) and so thou shalt hear; for I find my ⟨master⟩ has watched and tutored thee to a purpose.
Time was when thou, a kettle,
Was wont to hold good matter ;
But Friar Bacon did thee spoil,
When he thy sides did batter.
Time was when conscience dwelt,
With men of each vocation;
Time was when lawyers did not thrive,
So well by men’s vexations.
