This Sumner then, which was as full of stir,
And prate, and prying, as a woodpecker,
And ever inquiring upon everything,
Said, "Brother, where is thine inhabiting,
In case I come to find thee out some day?"

This yeoman dropped his speech in a soft way,
And said, "Far in the north. But ere we part, {42}
I trow thou shalt have learnt it so by heart,
Thou mayst not miss it, be it dark as pitch."

"Good," quoth the Sumner. "Now, as thou art rich,
Show me, dear brother, riding thus with me,
Since we are bailiffs both, some subtlety,
How I may play my game best, and may win:
And spare not, pray, for conscience or for sin,
But, as my brother, tell me how do ye."

"Why, 'faith, to tell thee a plain tale," quoth he,
"As to my wages, they be poor enough;
My lord's a dangerous master, hard and chuff;
And since my labour bringeth but abortion,
I live, so please ye, brother, by extortion,
I take what I can get; that is my course;
By cunning, if I may; if not, by force;
So cometh, year by year, my salary."
"Now certes," quote the Sumner, "so fare I.
I lay my hands on everything, God wot,
Unless it be too heavy or too hot.