Page:K. James Ist. and the tinker.pdf/3

 Perhaps, quoth the tinker, his lords will be drest

So fine, that I cannot tell him by the rest,

They will, but I tell you, when once you come there

The King will be cover'd, his nobles all bare,

Then up got the tinker, and hoisted the black

Budget of leather and tools on his back,

And when they came to the merry green wood,

His nobles came round him, and bare-headed stood:

The tinker then seeing so many appear,

Immediately whisper'd the King in the ear,

Saying, since they are all cloth'd so gallant and gay,

Sir, which is the King now tell me I pray?

The King to the tinker, then made this reply,

By my soul, man it must be either you or I:

The rest are bare-headed and uncover'd all round,

Thus said, with his budget he fell to the ground,

Like one that was fright'ned quite out of his wits,

And then on his knees he immediately gets,

Beseeching his mercy, the King to him said,

Thou art a good fellow so be not afraid.

Now tell me thy name: It is John of the Vale,

A mender of kettles, and a lover of ale.

Then rise up Sir John I will honour you here,

I'll make you a knight of three hundred a-year.

This was a good thing for the tinker indeed,

Then soon to the court he was sent for with speed,

Where store of great pleasure and pastime were seen,

Into the royal presence of our King and Queen.





OU subjects of Britain come listen a while,

Here is a new ditty will make you to smile,

It is of a King and a Keeper also,

Who met in the forest but lately ago,