The History of John Winchcomb

tying him thereto; which hee tooke in ill part, notwithstanding hee could not resist them. And because hee let his tongue runne at ran- dome, they set a faire gagge in his mouth, such a one as he could not for his life put away; so that he stood as one gaping for winde. Then one of them got a couple of dogs droppings, and putting them in a bagge, laid them in soke in a bason of water; while the rest turned downe the coller of his jerkin, and put an hoste cloath about his necke instead of a fine towell. Then came the other maide with a bason, and water in the same, and with the perfume in the pudding bagge flapt him about the face and lips till he looked like a tawnie Moore, and with her hands washt him very orderly. The smell being somewhat strong, Will could by no meanes abide it, and for want of other language cryed Ah, ha, ha, ha. Faine he would have spet, and could not; so that he was faine to swallow downe such liquoras he never tasted the like. When he had a prettie while beene washed in this sort, at the length he croucht downe upon his knees, yeilding himselfe to their favour; which the maidens perceiving, pulled the gag out of his mouth. He had no sooner the libertie of his tongue, but that hee curst and swore like a divel. The maides that could scant stand for laughing, at last askt how he liked his washing. Gods ounds, quoth hee, I was never thus washt, nor ever met with such barbers since I was borne. Let me goe, quoth he, and I will give you what...