The hare, as soon as he was out of their hands, ran on along the country way.  Some cried, “Thou must go to Lancaster first.”

“Let the hare alone,” said another; “he can tell a nearer way than the best of us all.  Let him go.”

Another said, “It is a subtle hare; let her alone; she will not keep the highway for fear of dogs.”

[Illustration:  A courtier came riding by, and he did ask what they were seeking]

OF COUNTING

On a certain time there were twelve men of Gotham who went fishing, and some went into the water and some on dry ground; and, as they were coming back, one of them said, “We have ventured much this day wading; I pray God that none of us that did come from home be drowned.”

“Marry,” said one, “let us see about that.  Twelve of us came out.”  And every man did count eleven, and the twelfth man did never count himself.

“Alas!” said one to another, “one of us is drowned.”  They went back to the brook where they had been fishing, and looked up and down for him that was drowned, and made great lamentation.  A courtier came riding by, and he did ask what they were seeking, and why they were so sorrowful.  “Oh,” said they, “this day we came to fish in this brook, and there were twelve of us, and one is drowned.”

“Why,” said the courtier, “count me how many of you there be”; and one counted eleven and did not count himself.  “Well,” said the courtier, “what will you give me if I find the twelfth man?”

“Sir,” said they, “all the money we have.”

“Give me the money,” said the courtier; and he began with the first, and gave him a whack over the shoulders that he groaned, and said, “There is one,” and he served all of them that they groaned; but when he came to the last he gave him a good blow, saying, “Here is the twelfth man.”

“God bless you on your heart,” said all the company; “you have found our neighbour.”

CAPORUSHES

Once upon a time, a long, long while ago, when all the world was young and all sorts of strange things happened, there lived a very rich gentleman whose wife had died leaving him three lovely daughters.  They were as the apple of his eye, and he loved them exceedingly.

Now one day he wanted to find out if they loved him in return, so he said to the eldest, “How much do you love me, my dear?”

And she answered as pat as may be, “As I love my life.”

“Very good, my dear,” said he, and gave her a kiss.  Then he said to the second girl, “How much do you love me, my dear?”

And she answered as swift as thought, “Better than all the world beside.”

“Good!” he replied, and patted her on the cheek.  Then he turned to the youngest, who was also the prettiest.

“And how much do you love me, my dearest?”

Now the youngest daughter was not only pretty, she was clever.  So she thought a moment, then she said slowly: