Page:Merry and entertaining history of the king and the cobler.pdf/3



T was the cuſtom of King Henry VIII. to walk late in the night into the city, diſquiſed, to obſerve and take notice how the conſtables and watchmen performed their duty, not only in guarding the city gates, but alſo diligently watching the inward parts of the city, ſo that they might, in a great meaſure, prevent thoſe diſturbances and caſunities which too often happen in great and populous cities in the night and this he did often without the leaft diſcovery who he was, returning some to Whitehall in the morning.

Now, in his return home through the Strand, he took notice of a certain cobler who was conſtantly up at work shilling and singing every morning The King a resolved to see him and be acquainted with him: In order in which he immediately knocks off the heel of his ſhoe by hitting it against a stone; and having done ſo, he bounced at the Cobler's ſtall.

Who's there? cries the cobler.

Here's one, ſaid the King.

With that the cobler opened the ſtall door, and the King aſked him if he could ſet on the heel on one of his shoes.

Yes, that I can ſays the cobler. Come in, honeſt fellow, and set thee down by me, and I will do it for free ſtraight; the cobler ſcraping his awls aud old ſhoes to one ſide, to make room for the king to sit down by him.

The king being hardly able to forbear laughing at the