The Prologue.
As Gammer Gurton, with manye a wyde styche 
Sat pesynge & patching of Hodg her mans briche 
By chance or misfortune as shee her geare tost 
In Hodge lether bryches her needle shee lost, 
When Diccon the bedlem had hard by report 
That good Gammer Gurton was robde in thyssorte, 
He quyetly perswaded with her in that stound 
Dame Chather deare gossyp this needle had found, 
Yet knew shee no more of this matter (alas) 
Then knoeth Tom our clarke whatthe Priest saith at masse 
Here of there ensued so fearfull a fraye, 
Mas Doctor was sent for these gossyps to staye, 
Because he was Curate and estemed full wyse 
Who found that he sought not by Diccons deuice, 
When all thinges were tombled and cleane out of fassion 
Whether it were by fortune or some other constellacion 
Sodenlye the neele Hodge found by the prickynge 
And drew it out of his bottocke where he felt it stickynge 
Theyr hartes then atrest with perfect securytie. 
With a pot of good nale they stroake vp theyr plauditie.