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Honest Harry, I have made an holi- day on purpose to see you, but I had much ado to get leave of my wife Joan, who was loath to lose so much time from my work; but I was resolved to                      see you, and therefore I made myself as fine as I could. But I'll tell thee, Harry, when I came to court I was in                      a peck of troubles how to find you out: but at last I met with a man who told me he knew you very well, and that he                      would bring me to you, but instead of                       doing so, he brought me before the king, which almost frightened me out of my                      seven senses; but faith I'm resolved to                       be merry with you now, since I have met you at last.

Ay that we shall, replied the king, we                      will be as merry, as princes.

Now after the cobler had drunk about four or five good healths, he began to                      be merry, and fell a-singing his old songs and catches, which pleased the king very much, and made him laugh heartily.