This carpenter went down, and came again, And brought of mighty ale a largë quart; And when that each of them had drunk his part, This Nicholas his chamber door fast shet, 1075 And down the carpentér by him he set, And saidë; “John, mine host full lief 1076 and dear, Thou shalt upon thy truthë swear me here, That to no wight thou shalt my counsel wray: 1077 For it is Christë’s counsel that I say, And if thou tell it man, thou art forlore: 1078 For this vengeance thou shalt have therefor, That if thou wrayë 1079 me, thou shalt be wood.” 1080 “Nay, Christ forbid it for his holy blood!” Quoth then this silly man; “I am no blab, 1081 Nor, though I say it, am I lief to gab.