Gammer Gurton's Needle - Faculty & Staff Web Pages

Back and side, go bare, go bare,
Both foot and hand, go cold:
But belly, God send thee good ale enough,
Whether it be new or old!
Now let them drink 'til they nod and wink,
Even as good fellows should do;
They shall not miss to have the bliss
Good ale doth bring me to.
And all poor souls that have scoured bowls,
Or have them lustily trolled,
God save the lives of them and their wives,
Whether they be young or old!
Back and side, go bare, go bare,
Both foot and hand, go cold:
But belly, God send thee good ale enough,
Whether it be new or old!
THE SECOND ACT
The First Scene
Gammer Gurton's Needle 15
[Diccon enters from Dame Chat's ale-house, holding a
pot of ale. Hodge enters later.]
Diccon: Well done, by Gog's malt! Well sung and well said!
Come on, Mother Chat, as thou art [a] true maid!
One fresh pot of ale let's see, to make an end,
Against this cold weather my naked arms to defend! 1
[Dame Chat hands him out a fresh pot of ale; he
drinks it off in one long swallow.]
This gear, it warms the soul! Now wind, blow on thy worst!
And let us drink and swill 'til that our bellies burst!
Which way my journey lieth? Or where will Diccon dine?
But one good turn I have: be it by night or day,
South, east, north, or west, I am never out of my way! 2
[Hodge enters from Gammer's house; he holds a piece
of barley bread in one hand and an empty milk pan in
the other.]
1
One fresh…defend: Let's have one more pot of ale for the road, to keep me warm in this cold weather.
2
But one . . . way! But I have one bit of good luck; [since I'm homeless,] by night or day, anywhere to the south, east, north,
or west, I'm never lost!