Gammer Gurton's Needle - Faculty & Staff Web Pages

Diccon: Marry, sir, will ye hear?
She was clapped down on the backside, by Cock's mother dear, 1
And there she sat sewing a halter, 2 or a band,
With no other thing save Gammer's needle in her hand.
As soon as any knock, if the filth be in doubt,
She needs but one puff, and her candle is out.
Now I, sir, knowing of every door the pin, 3
Came nicely 4 and said no word 'til time I was within;
And there I saw the nee'le even with these two eyes.
Whoever say the contrary, I will swear he lies!
D. Rat: Oh, Diccon, that I was not there in thy stead!
Diccon: Well – if ye will be ordered and do by my rede, 5
I will bring you to a place, as the house stands,
Where ye shall take the drab with the nee'le in her hands.
D. Rat: For Gods' sake, do so, Diccon, and I will 'gage my gown 6
To give thee a full pot of the best ale in the town.
Gammer Gurton's Needle 44
Diccon: Follow me but a little, and mark what I will say.
Lay down your gown beside you.
[Dr. Rat takes off his priest's robe and lays it aside]
Go to, 7 come on your way!
See ye not what is here? A hole wherein ye may creep
Into the house, and suddenly unawares among them leap!
There shall ye find the bitch-fox and the nee'le together.
Do as I bid you man – come on your ways hither!
D. Rat: Art thou sure, Diccon, the swill-tub 8 stands not hear about?
Diccon: I was within myself, man, even now. There is no doubt.
Go softly, make no noise. Give me your foot, Sir John! 9
[Diccon boosts him up]
Here will I wait upon you 'til you come out again.
[Dr. Rat climbs into the house; immediately Dame Cat
and her maids attack him with brooms and sticks]
1
By Cock's mother dear: This is not Cocke, the character, but a euphemism for "God." "God's dear mother" is the Virgin
Mary.
2
Halter: a strap used for leading or tying an animal
3
Knowing of every door the pin: knowing how every door in the neighborhood opens (that is, knowing which doors have
squeaky hinges and which do not)
4
Nicely: carefully and quietly
5
Rede: advice
6
'gage my gown: engage my gown, that is, promise by my priest's robes
7
Go to: can mean "be still, be silent," but often is used as an encouragement, as Americans say "Come on!"
8 Swill-tub: slop-tub
9 Sir John: a traditional name for a parson