“I have many white herrings,” said one.

“I have many sprats,” said another.

“I have many red herrings,” said the other.

“I have much salt fish.  Let all go into the pond or pool, and we shall fare like lords next year.”

At the beginning of next year following the men drew near the pond to have their fish, and there was nothing but a great eel.  “Ah,” said they all, “a mischief on this eel, for he has eaten up all our fish.”

“What shall we do to him?” said one to the others.

“Kill him,” said one.

“Chop him into pieces,” said another.  “Not so,” said another; “let us drown him.”

“Be it so,” said all.  And they went to another pond, and cast the eel into the pond.  “Lie there and shift for yourself, for no help thou shalt have from us;” and they left the eel to drown.

Of Sending Rent

Once on a time the men of Gotham had forgotten to pay their landlord.  One said to the other, “To-morrow is our pay-day, and what shall we find to send our money to our landlord?”

The one said, “This day I have caught a hare, and he shall carry it, for he is light of foot.”

“Be it so,” said all; “he shall have a letter and a purse to put our money in, and we shall direct him the right way.”  So when the letters were written and the money put in a purse, they tied it round the hare’s neck, saying, “First you go to Lancaster, then thou must go to Loughborough, and Newarke is our landlord, and commend us to him and there is his dues.”

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.”

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?”