"
"Marry," said one, "let us see about that. Twelve of us came out," and
every man did count eleven, and the twelfth man did never count himself.
"Alas!" said one to another, "one of us is drowned." They went back to
the brook where they had been fishing, and looked up and down for him
that was drowned, and made great lamentation. A courtier came riding
by, and he did ask what they were seeking, and why they were so
sorrowful. "Oh," said they, "this day we came to fish in this brook, and
there were twelve of us, and one is drowned."
"Why," said the courtier, "count me how many of you there be," and one
counted eleven and did not count himself. "Well," said the courtier,
"what will you give me if I find the twelfth man?"
"Sir," said they, "all the money we have."
"Give me the money," said the courtier; and he began with the first, and
gave him a whack over the shoulders that he groaned, and said, "There is
one," and he served all of them that they groaned; but when he came to
the last he gave him a good blow, saying, "Here is the twelfth man.
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