Page:History of the king and the cobbler.pdf/2



T was the custom of King VIII. late in the night, to walk the ſtreets in diſguiſe, to take notice how the conſtables and watch performed their duty in guarding the gates, and watching the inward parts of the city, to prevent thoſe diſturbances and caſualties, which often happen by night, in great and populous cities. This he did often without the leaſt diſcovery; always returning home to Whitehall early in the morning. Once on his return, coming through the Strand, he took notice of a certain cobbler, who was conſtantly up at work, whiſtling and ſinging every morning. He reſolved to ſee him, and be acquainted with him, in order to which, he immediately knocked off the heel of his ſhoe, by ſtriking it againſt a ſtone; and having ſo done, he bounced into the cobbler's ſtall.

With that the cobbler opened the ſtall door, and the king aſked him, if he could put on his heel.

'Yes, that I can,' ſays the cobbler; 'come in, honeſt fellow, and ſit thee down by me, and I will do it for thee ſtraight.' The cobbler ſcraped his old ſhoes to one ſide with his awl, to make room for the king to ſit by him.