Page:Merry and entertaining history of the king and the cobler.pdf/5

 Harry Tudor; therefore, with a great deal of confidence, he ſtands up, and pulls off his hat, makes two or three ſcrapes with his foot, and gives the King many thanks; also telling him, that he was one of the honeſteſt men he ever met with in all his lifetime; and, although he had never been at court, yet it ſhould not be long before he would make a holliday to come and ſee him.

Whereupon the King paying for what they had drank, would have taken his leave of the cobler, who not being willing to part with him, took hold of his hand and ſaid, by my faith you muſt not go; you ſhall first go and ſee, my poor habitation; I have there a tub of good brown ale, that was never tapped yet, and you muſt go and taſte it for you are the honeſteſt blade I ever met withal, and I love at honeſt merry companion with all my heart.

O the cobler took the King with him over the way, where he had his caller adjoining to the ſtall which was handſomely and neatly furniſhed for a man of his profeſſion. Into this cellar he had the King; there ſaid he, it down, you are very welcome; but I muſt deſire you to ſpeak ſoftly for fear of awakening my wife Joan, who lies here hard by, (ſhowing the King a cloſe bed made up at one corner of the cellar much like a closet) for if ſhe ſhould awake, he would make our ears ring again.

At which ſpeech of the cobler's the King laughed, and told the cobler he would be mindful to follow his directions

Whereupon the cobler kindled up a fire, and fetched out brown loaf from which he cut lofly toaſt, which he ſet a baking at the fire then he brought out his Cheſhire cheeſe, come, ſaid he, will you eat any of my Cheſhire cheeſe? There is a good fellowſhip in eating as there is in drinking; which made the King admire the