Page:Comical history of the King and the cobler.pdf/8

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At which speech of the cobler's the king laughed, and told him he would be mindful and follow his directions.

Whereupon the cobler kindled up a                      fire, and fetched out a brown loaf, from which he cut a lusty toast, which he                      sat baking at the fire; then he brought out his Cheshire cheese; Now, says he, there is as much fellowship in eating as in drinking.

Which made the King admire the honest freedom of the cobler. So hav- ing eaten a bit, the cobler began, A                      health to all true hearts and merry companions; at which the king smiled, saying, Friend, I'll pledge thee.

In this manner they eat and drank together till it was almost break of                      day; the cobler being very free of his liquor, and delighting the King with several of his old stories, insomuch that he was highly pleased with the manner of his entertainment; when