Page:History of Jack of Newbury.pdf/16

16 they were not only idle themselves, but also lived upon the labour of others,

Amongst the rest, the butterfly was much disliked, but few durst say any thing to him, because of his golden apparel who, though himself upon sufferance grew so very ambitious and malepert that the poor ant could no sooner get an egg into her nest, but he would have it away, especially against Easter; which at length much offended them all. This painted ass took snuff in the nose, & assembled a great many of his own coat and went to war to root those painful people out of the land, that he might himself be above them.

These were proud butterflies indeed said our noble King.

Whereupon I, with my men, quoth Jack, prepared ourselves to withstand them, until such time as your Majesty's royal presence put them to flight. The