Gammer Gurton's Needle - Faculty & Staff Web Pages
Gammer Gurton's Needle - Faculty & Staff Web Pages
Gammer Gurton's Needle - Faculty & Staff Web Pages
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
[Bailey continues:]<br />
And likewise bound by the virtue of that<br />
To be of good bearing to Gib, her great cat;<br />
Last of all, to Hodge, the oath for to scan,<br />
Thou shalt never take him for [a] fine gentleman.<br />
<strong>Gammer</strong> <strong>Gurton's</strong> <strong>Needle</strong> 59<br />
[Hodge hunkers down, sticking out his butt]<br />
Hodge: Come on, fellow Diccon! 'Chall be even with the now!<br />
Bailey: Thou wilt not stick to do this, Diccon, I trow?<br />
Diccon: No, by my father's skin; my hand down I lay it!<br />
Look! As I have promised, I will not deny it!<br />
But Hodge, take good heed now thou do not be-shit me!<br />
Hodge: Gog's heart! Thou false villain, dost thou bite me?<br />
Bailey: What, Hodge! Doth he hurt thee or ever 1 he begin[s]?<br />
[As if he is about to put his hand on a Bible to swear,<br />
Diccon raises his hand and then slaps Hodge hard on<br />
the arse. Hodge howls in pain and hops around<br />
holding his butt.]<br />
Hodge: He thrust me into the buttock with a bodkin 2 or a pin!<br />
[Hodge squirms and twists until he pulls the needle<br />
out of his buttock]<br />
I say, <strong>Gammer</strong>! <strong>Gammer</strong>!<br />
<strong>Gammer</strong>: How now, Hodge, how now? 3<br />
Hodge: God's malt, <strong>Gammer</strong> Gurton!<br />
<strong>Gammer</strong>: Thou art mad, Ich trow!<br />
Hodge: Will you see? The devil, <strong>Gammer</strong>!<br />
<strong>Gammer</strong>: The devil, son? God bless us!<br />
Hodge: 'Chould Ich were hanged, <strong>Gammer</strong>! 4<br />
<strong>Gammer</strong>: Marry, so ye might dress us. 5<br />
1<br />
Or ever: before<br />
2<br />
Bodkin: a small metal punch for putting holes in cloth or leather<br />
3<br />
How now: what is it?<br />
4<br />
'Chould Ich were hanged: Well, I'll be hanged<br />
5<br />
That is, "I wish you were, unless you address [speak to] us."
Change language