His Tongue did gaggle as if it were made of the Devil's Bollock Leather.

 

Chapter IV.

How Robin the Cobbler, having got loose of the witches, became a new man, and of many notable exploits which he did, you shall pleasantly hear.

Now, when Robin the Cobbler
had broken the spells of witchcraft
his eyesight
his hearing
his speech
his senses
and his knowledge
was all restored unto him again
yet he looked of a pitiful complexion
just as a man may say
like one of Pharaoh's lean kine
his visage was pale and ghastly
his eyes seemed as if they were sunk into his head
his nose was like the nose of a scolding ale-wife
long and sharp
and his tongue did gaggle
as if it were made of the Devil's bollock leather
his belly and his back were so clung together
he was scarce able to shit for bones

Nor had he any kind of habit to put on
that was worth the throwing to the dunghill
only an old lousy smock
and a pair of slip-shoes
which one of the witches gave him
out of here mere pitiful charity
yet he knew himself to be far happier
than he was before
when he was ridden that time
by the she-devils there

Robin began to ruminate
to think what course he best take
which way best to steer his helm

He resolved at last
to take up once more
his journey to famous London
to try his fortune
to see if his luck were better
but he vowed this time
to keep to the road
never to wander the woodlands again
for fear the witches find him

In every town and village on his way
the children would flee
thinking him mad
not a boy or girl was seen
anywhere he went
poor Robin the Cobbler
walked two days woefully
two nights too
without bread or drink
no money to buy any

He began to bewail 
his sorrowful life

O pitiful cobbler
that I am
I am worse now than ever before
when I was a horse
the witches rode me
put me to much pain
yet they gave me somewhat 
to feed upon at night
though it were but bran and water
I can approve to be pretty good fare for horses
when they are very hungry
so they may have enough to fill their bellies withal

When I was a fox
the witches in the shape of dogs
ran after me
harried me up and down
at every stop and turn
bit me by the buttocks
but now I am hunger-bitten
which is ten thousand times worse

When I was an owl
I was most shamefully abused
wondered at by other birds
but now am I made a wondering stock
to all the folks that see me
insomuch no man woman or child
will not nor dare not come a-near me long
for the poverty of my flesh
and disguise of habit

O what a pitiful wretched case 
am I now
an ape or an owl
a fox or a goose
a horse or an ox or an ass
is in a far better taking 
than I am now

O I could be with Diogenes' mare
feed upon thistles
or like a chamaelion
live on the air

Whilst he thus complained
by chance came a blind beggarman
who had a whole wallet full of fragments
of fish and meat
mammacks of bread and cheese
he'd gotten among his good benefactors

When Robin the Cobbler
set his eyes on the blind man's wallet of victuals
the heart of his belly leap'd for joy
in hope of his filling his belly again
and thereupon finding courage
to made his address
he spake to the blind beggarman
by way of complement
knowing the blindman 
saw not who he was
taking him by the shoulder
he thus spoke his mind

Well overtaken
father
how far you walk this way?

Marry

quoth the beggar

but to the next village
for want of a guide to lead me
I am in fear 
I shall come too late for my lodging

Why

quoth the Cobbler

rather then you shall go amiss
I will take the pains to lead you myself
for I love old men
with all my heart

Chapter V.

Here follows a discourse of the happy fortune that happened to Robin the Cobbler after all his miseries.

As Robin the Cobbler was leading the blind beggar
along on the way
the blindman found him 
to be exceeding diligent
therewithal desired of Robin
to know who he was
who would undervalue himself
to take pains to lead him

quoth Robin

I am a gentleman
born and bred
so you would say
if you could but see me
but as it comes to pass
I have never a penny
to help myself
for I am a valiant Cavalier
for the King
by the fortune of the wars
I am utterly undone forever
unless some speedy help
come by heavenly providence
I tell you
father
my land not long since was sequestered
my goods and my money taken from me
my body carried to prison
where I have lain
three years
three months
three weeks
three days
at the last
by happy chance
I got out of prison
but now I am out
I know not how to live
nor how to get one bit of bread
to relieve my hungry stomach
for I have been fasting 
two days and nights
and never a bit of victuals
came in my body

Alas for you
good sir

said the beggar

I much lament your case
but if you will be pleased
to accept of such poor fare
as I have in my wallet
you shall be heartily welcome to it
and the next alehouse we come to
I will give you liquor of the best
to swallow it down

Whereupon the wallet was laid down
and the victuals sorted out
upon the green bank
I think there was no need
to bid Robin to eat
when he filled his belly
they went together cheerfully
to the place appointed
where they lay lovingly together
that night
the next day
the beggar brought him home
to his ownhouse
where was plnety of good clothes
both of woollen and linen
with which the beggar suited Robin
and also directed him
to a coffer where was
two hundred and fifty pounds
ready money

All this

quoth the beggar

shall be your own
when I die
if you stay with me
all my life

Whereupon
the Cobbler replied
with a very good will

Sir

which bargain being made
Robin and his old master
every day walked about
to good men's houses
to see what victuals
they could get

Till at the last
Robin became
as cunning at the trade
as his master
and was acquanited
with most of the master beggars living
in the County of Kent

But to conclude
in process of time
the blind beggar died
and all his wealth fell to Robin
he afterwards went home
to his former habitation
and took order for the breeding up
of the three children 
he got in one night
and gave the two wenches
ten pounds a piece
for the injury he formerly done to them
and threw the rest of the money
into his wife's lap

So end the story
of Robin the Cobbler

Finis