Page:History of the king and the cobler (2).pdf/2

 THE

HISTORY of the KING and the COBLER.

PART I.

CHAP. I.

How King Henry the Eighth uſed to viſit the Watches in the City and how be became acquainted with a merry jovial Cobler.

IT was the cuſtom of King Henry the Eighth to walk late in the night into the City diſguiſed, to take notice how the Conſtables and Watches performed their duty, not only in carefully guarding the City gates but alſo diligently watching the inward parts of the City, that ſo they might prevent theſe diſturbances and caſualities which often happen in great and populous Citier in the night-time; this he did oftentimes without the leaſt diſcovery who he was, returning home to Whitehall early in the morning.

Once in his return, coming through the Strand he took notice of a certain Cobler who was conſtantly up at work, whiſtling and ſinging every morning he reſolved to ſee him, and to be acquainted with him In order to which, he immediately knocks off the hee of his ſhoe, by ſtalking it againſt a ſtone: having ſ done, he b unc'd at the Cobler's ſtall. Who's there cries the Cobler. A friend, ſaid the King. On whic the Cobler opened the ſtall-door, and the king aſked him, if he could put on his heel? Yes, that I ca ſays the Cobler; come in, honeſt fellow, and fit th do