Page:History of the King and the cobler (6).pdf/23

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CHAP. VI.

How the Cobler became a Courtier.

NOW the King, considering, the plea- sant humour of the cobler, how in- nocently merry he was, and free from any designs; that he was a person which laboured very hard, and took a great deal of pains for a small livelihood, was pleased out of his princely grace and favour, to allow him a liberal annuity of forty merks a year, for the better maintenance of his wife Joan; and that he should be admitted one of his cour- tiers, and that he might have the freedom of his cellar whenever he pleased.