Page:History of the four Kings of Canterbury, Colchester, Cornwall, and Cumberland.pdf/9

 think you could get me one more ? He answered, May hap I may, when I have baited my hook. Then make hast for I am impatient till I have another: Then the shepherd acted as before, and so presented her with another fish; which she also extolled and praised, saying, it was ten times finer than the other; and then gave him leave to sleep, promising to excuse him to her father.

In the morning, the king came into the hall as usual, followed by the headsman with a hatchet; but the lady cried out, you may return with your hatchet, here is no work for you. How so, said the king, has he neither slumber'd nor slept? No, royal father he has not. How has he employed himself? In fishing- Why there is never a fish-pond; where did he catch them? One in his own bag, and two in this one of mine. Say you so? Well, friend, dost thou think thou can'st catch one in mine? An't please you, my liege, I believe I can. Then directing him to lie on his belly, he pocked him with a packing needle, which made him cry out exceedingly; at which time he drew the other fish out of the bag, and shewed it to the king. His Majesty said, he never knew such sort of fishing before, however,