>From Wits Fittes and Fancies, published by Anthony Copley in 1595:
http://shipbrook.com/jeff/jokes.html
(Caution: Adult language at site)
A Dominican and a Franciscan Frier traueiling together on the way, arriued at a brook, where the Dominican requested the Franciscan, in as much as he was barefoot, to carie him ouer the water on his back: The Franciscan was content, and vp he took him, and into the riuer he went; and being stept into the channell, there he paws’d, & said to the Dominican: Tell me (brother) haue you any money about you? The Dominican thinking that he aimed thereby at a consideration for his paines, answered: Yea marie haue I a little, but not much: Much or little then (reply’d the Franciscan) well you wot my order allowes me not to carie any money about me, though well you may. And therefore: and with that downe hee let slip the Dominican into the channell, where his money could not saue him from being verie well wet.
Here’s the 16th century joke with 21st century spelling:
A Dominican and a Franciscan friar traveling together on the way, arrived at a brook, where the Dominican requested the Franciscan, in as much as he was barefoot, to carry him over the water on his back. The Franciscan was content, and up he took him, and into the river he went; and being stepped into the channel, there he paused, and said to the Dominican, “Tell me (brother) have you any money about you?” The Dominican, thinking that he aimed thereby at a consideration for his pains, answered: “Yea Maria, have I a little, but not much.” “Much or little then”, replied the Franciscan, “well you know that my order does not allow me to carry money, although you may. And therefore…” And with that down he let slip the Dominican into the channel, where his money could not save him from being very well wet.
