Page:History of the four kings of Canterbury, Colchester, Cornwall, & Cumberland (2).pdf/12

 12 The Hiſtory of the four Kings.

come near the palace gate, at which they no ſooner knocked, but they were admitted. But Jack never ſtood for ceremonies, but ran through the midſt of the court, and as the wiſe brothers were making their addreſſes, Jack was laughing at the ladies; unto whom he ſaid, what a troop of fair ladies are got here! O yes, yes, ſaid the king's daughter, who was among them, we are fair ladies, for we carry fire in our -. Do you? ſaid Jack, then roaſt me an egg. How will ye get it out again? By a crooked ſtick which I have. A-you will? ſaid ſhe-I have is in my pocket, ſays Jack. In this Jack anſwered the three queſtions propoſed. Then he was preferred to that honour which was mentioned in the decree. His two wife brothers then went home like two fools, and left fooliſh Jack to be reverenced at court, with the king's fair daughter.

Said the fourth boy, this verifies the old proverb, "Fools have fortune;" beſides, it has put me in mind of a ſtory that was told me by my aunt.