CCXI.

[From MS. Sloane, 1489, fol. 16, written in the time of Charles I.]

There were three sisters in a hall, There came a knight amongst them all; Good morrow, aunt, to the one, Good morrow, aunt, to the other, Good morrow, gentlewoman, to the third, If you were my aunt, As the other two be, I would say good morrow, Then, aunts, all three.

[Isabel.]

Congeal'd water and Cain's brother, That was my lover's name, and no other.

[Teeth and Gums.]

Thirty white horses upon a red hill, Now they tramp, now they champ, now they stand still.

[Coals.]

Black we are, but much admired; Men seek for us till they are tired. We tire the horse, but comfort man Tell me this riddle if you can.

[A Star.]

Higher than a house, higher than a tree; Oh, whatever can that be?

[An Egg.]

Humpty dumpty sate on a wall, Humpty dumpty had a great fall; Three score men and three score more Cannot place Humpty Dumpty as he was before.