Krindlesyke

EZRA:
And the devil where you'd be, if we hadn't met
That hiring-day at Hexham, on the minute.
I'd spent last hiring with another wench,
A giggling red-haired besom; and we were trysted
To meet at the Shambles: and I was awaiting her,
When I caught the glisk of your eye: but she was late;
And you were a sonsy lassie, fresh and pink;
Though little pink about you now, I'd fancy.

ELIZA:
Nay, forty-year of Krindlesyke, and all!

EZRA:
Young carroty-pow must have been in a fine fantigue,
When she found I'd mizzled. Yet, if she'd turned up
In time, poor mealy-face, for all your roses,
You'd never have clapped eyes on Krindlesyke:
This countryside and you would still be strangers.

ELIZA:
In time!

EZRA:

A narrow squeak.

ELIZA:

If she'd turned up,
The red-haired girl had lived at Krindlesyke,