And
he said also that it would be little sin even with that axe head
to chop off the unhappy head of hers that carried such an
ungracious tongue in it. At that word the devil took his time and
whetted her tongue against her teeth. And when it was well
sharpened she swore to him in very fierce anger, "By the mass,
whoreson husband, I wish thou wouldst! Here lieth my head, lo,"
and with that down she laid her head upon the same timber log. "If
thou smite it not off, I beshrew thine whoreson's heart!" With
that, likewise as the devil stood at her elbow, so stood (as I
heard say) his good angel at his, and gave him ghostly courage and
bade him be bold and do it. And so the good man up with his chip
axe and at a chop he chopped off her head indeed.
There were other folk standing by, who had a good sport to hear
her chide, but little they looked for this chance, till it was
done ere they could stop it. They said they heard her tongue
babble in her head, and call, "Whoreson, whoreson!" twice after
the head was off the body. At least, thus they all reported
afterward unto the king, except only one, and that was a woman,
and she said that she heard it not.
VINCENT: Forsooth, this was a wonderful work! What became, uncle,
of the man?
ANTHONY: The king gave him his pardon.
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