ruddocks chinking in a bag and yet he were better to have one with lesse money and more huswifery for my one part I would not come to learn of never a Woman in Westminster how to deal in such affairs I think no lesse quoth Richard and therefore I pray God send you a good Husband and one well deserving so good a wife with that Gillian fetcht a great sigh saying Amen I pray God Why then marry me qd Robin and thereby prevent the perish of bad thoughts hark in thy ear Robin quoth she I would thy Master would say so much and then he should soon know my mind Ha ha quoth Robin I faith you drab And would you have him to stamp the crab Why what is the matter quoth Richard nay nothing quoth Gillian but that I was bold to jest with your man and I hope you will not be offended if he and I talk a word or two There is no reason I should quoth Richard therefore confer at your pleasure and the whilst I will be busie with the Lamb-pye then Gillian whispering Robin in the ear spoke in this sort unto him I perceive you can spy day at a little hole Robin I am of opinion that affection groweth as strong in a woman as a man they to have equall priviledge as well as men to speak their minds In truth Robin to be plain I love thy Master with all my heart and if thou wouldst be so much my friend to break the matter unto him and therewithall to procure his good likeing unto me I would bestow on thée as good a sute of apparrell as ever thou wast Master of in thy life whereunto Robin answered saying Here 's my hand Gillian at thy request I le make a vow I le do my best But for my apparell grant me this In earnest first to give me a kisse There it is qd Gillian and I do protest that upon that blessed day when he gives his happy consent to be my husband at the delivery of thy apparell I will make that one kisse twenty and they came to the table and set them down again Richard marking all said nothing but at her approach to the board tooke the glasse and drunk to her giving her thanks for her cost and kindnesse she gladly accepting the same bending her body instead of cursie took it at his hands and drunk unto Robin and so taking her leave of them both shhâ— ran spéedily home So soon as she was gone Robin told his Master it was the pleasentest life in the world to live a Batchelor for he would never want good chéer and company I marry quoth Richard but what I get one way I spend another you sée quoth he here is a foreneoon spent to no purpose I tell thée Robin I account their inticoments dangerous therefore a man must not be won with fair words as a fish with a bait Well quoth Robin all is one to me whether you love or loath them but let not the posset be forgot soon at night Quoth Richard if I rest in the mind I am in now I mean not to be there at all then you will lose her love quoth Robin that said his Master is that I desire for the love of a Shroe is like the shadow of a cloud that soon consumeth and such love is better lost then found Quoth Robin this once follow my mind Though by her love you set but light Let us eat the posser soon at night And afterward I will so deale If you will not my â—ricks reveale That they shall trouble you no more Though by your love they set great store For one another they shall beguile Yet think themselves well pleas'd the while Verily quoth his Master if thou wilt do so I will be Megs guest this once and think my self happy to be so rid of them Hereupon Richard having his Shop windows shut in and his doors made fast He with his man Robin took their direct way to the Spread Eagle where they no sooner knockt at the doore but Margaret came down and let them in and bid them heartily welcome Now Richard quoth she you are a man of your word I pray you come néere for to have you in my Office is my desire quoth Robin was your Office never a fire you see the Kitchin is large and the chimney wide quoth Robin how many Rooks hath your Kitchin tride I know not quoth Meg quoth Robin I think even so Go to quoth Meg but I le let it passe Then taking Richard by the hand she bad him sit down saying good Richard you are welcome I have never a friend in the World that can be better welcome I thank you good Margaret quoth he I thank her still qd Robin in every degree For you that have all the welcome shall give thanks for me Why Robin qd Meg be not offended thou art welcome to me I faith quoth he you bid me welcome when you have nothing else to doe Herewithall Margaret very neatly laid the cloth set a dainty minst Pye on the boord and other good chéere and sent the other maid of the house for a pottle of wine and so fell to their meat merrily when they had eaten and drunk Margaret stept to reach the posset but while she had it in her hand she heard one comming down the stairs Gods precious quoth she my Master comes where shall we hide the posset if he sée it we shall have more anger then ten possets are worth with that she whipt it into the seat of the pâ—ivy house thinking it there safest out of sight her Master being an old crabbed fellow would often steale down to sée what his Maids were a deing the old man being raised by a loosenesse of his body came to pay tribute to Aiax where he clapt his buttocks into the posset wherewith being scalded he cryed out saying help maids or I am spoiled for ever for some Divel hath thrown scalding lead upon my buttocks and in this case he stampt up down the yard holding his hips in his hands Meg. that knew better what the matter was then her Master ran into the house of Office with a spit as if she purposed to broach the Divell casting the posset into the puddle said how now Master what is the matter are you hurt hurt quoth her Master I tell thée Meg never was man thus hurt and yet I am ashamed to shew my hurt bring me a candle quoth Meg I tell you Master it is better all should be shewn then all spoiled and casting up his shirt spied both his great chéeks full of blisters whereupon she was faine to make a medicine with sallet oyle and houseléek to asswage this unséen fire and by this means Richard with his man was fain to slip away which was to Robin no small grief and yet laughing to think how odly this jest fell out I am quoth Robin forty years old and more Yet did I never know posset
so tasted before I think his eyes in his elbowes he had To thrust his aâ—se in the posset or else he was mad His Master answering said Robin I will never go there to eat posset more Margaret coming thither told them she was sorry they were so suddainly broke from their banquet but Y faith Richard quoth she another time shall make amends for all CHAP. 3. How Richard the Cock of Westminster was married to a Dutch Maiden for which cause long Meg and Gillian of the George wore willow Garlands RIchard Castler living a long time a Batchelor in Westminster at last linked his love to a Dutch Maiden dwelling in London To this pretty soule went Richard secretly a wooing who for halfe a year set as light by him as he did by the Maidens of Westminster and the more he was denyed the more he sought her good will But while he was thus busied to make himself blessed by matching with a Maiden in London round Robin cast his wits to set the Maidens of Westminster against him which he effected in this sort Margaret and Gillian coming often by the Shop cast many a Shéeps eye to spy out their beloved friend and finding him not at his Shop they judged that it was not Idlenesse that drew him away but rather that he was gone a wooing to some pretty Wench whereupon Margaret entred into these spéeches with round Robin I wonder quoth Meg where your Master layes his knife aboord now a dayes tell me Robin said she where the Cock doth crow now Not so quoth Robin my Master doth not that allow I must not shew his secrets to one or other Therefore you shal not know it though you were my mother Yet thus much by thy speech I plainly do see Thou thinkst not so well of him as he thinks on thee Margaret hearing round Robin rime to so good a purpose asked if he knew his Masters mind so much therefore swéet Robin let me know whereupon thou speakest Hereupon Robin said that his Master was very well affected towards her and that if it were not for Gillian of the George he would long ere this have uttered his mind to you but quoth Robin he is se haunted by that female spirit that he can rest in no place for her These Words uttered by Robin made Margarets heart leap in her belly wherefore taking gentlely her leave of him she thus began to meditate on the matter Now do I well sée that the tongue of a wise man is in his heart but the heart of a foole is in his tongue and Richard quoth she hast thou born me such secret good will and would never let me know it Thus in a jolly humor Margaret jotted home flatterring her self in her happy fortune in which delight we will leave her and make some rehearseall of Gillians joy who coming in the like manner to Robin asking for his Master was certified by him that for her sake only he lived in such sorrow that he could not stay in his shop and therefore was faine to drive away melancholly by marching abroad O Gillian quoth he had it not béen for two causes he would long ere this have uttered his mind to thée quoth Gillian is it true Robin that thou dost tell me doubt not of that do you think I will tell you a lye Nay good Robin be not angry blame me not to aske a question ask what you will quoth Robin and I may chuse whether I will answer you or no now I have opened my Master secret you were best to blab it through all the town Nay good Robin that is not my mind quoth Gillian but I beséech thée let me know those two causes that kéeps thy Master from uttering his mind Nay soft there lay a staw for fear of stumbling quoth Robin let it suffice you that you know what you know Nay good swéet Robin I pray thée make it not dainty now to tell me all séeing you have begun the day may come that I may requite thy courtesie say you so Gillian now by good Crispianus were it not that I am in hope you would prove kind to my Master and be a good Mistris to us I would not utter one word more Well Robin if ever I come to command thy Masters house and kéep the keys thou shalt sée I will kéep no â—iggards table but you shall have meat and drink in a plentifull manner Robin hearing this told her this tale that his Master loved her intirely and would long since have uttered his mind but for two reasons the first was that he could never find a fit opportunity because of long Meg whose love to him was more then he could wish for if he do but speak and look upon any she presently pouts and lowers which is such a grief to my Master that he is faine to kéep silent The second reason is that he is not wealthy as he could wish himself you would disdain his suit Who I quoth Gillian I tell thée Robin I do more respect his kindnesse then his goods Why then good Gillian quoth Robin hearken hither thrée dayes hence and you shall hear more I warrant thée Robin quoth she and so away she went being as glad of this tidings as her Master was of a good Term Now when his Master came home Robin asked him how he sped in his suit even as Cooks do in baking their Pyes sometimes wel sometimes ill London Wenches are wily Lasses Now she is in one mind by and by in another and to be brief never stedfast in any thing Tush Master quoth Robin stoop not to a Thistle take this comfort what one will not another will I tell you Master these nice Minions are so full of curiosit that they are cleane without courtesie Yet well fare the gallant girls of Westminster that will do more for a man then he will do for himself What is that said his Master mary quoth he to give two kisses before he calls for one That indéed is extraordinary kindnesse quoth Richard but their loves is like braided Wares that is often séen but hardly sold Well Master quoth Robin you know your two old friends Meg and Gillian I what of them quoth Richard I have made them both beléeve that you love them out of all cry And I beshrow thy heart for that qd Richard for therein thou dost both deceive them and discredit me I assure thée I like not such jesting Now gip quoth Robin are you griev'd at my talk And if you be angry I pray go walk Thus do you never esteem of a man Let him do for you the best that he can Richard hearing his man so hot pacified him with many cold and gentle speeches wishing if he had begun any jest that he should finish it with such discretion that no reproach might grow upon him whereupon Robin proceeded in this sort Vpon a time Margaret according to her wonted manner came thither whom Robin peswaded that his
be these the merry minded Shoomakers you spake of they are dread Soveraign said they certainly said the King you are welcome every one but who among you is round Robin My Liege quoth Robin that man am I VVhich in your Graces service will live and dye And these be my fellows every one Ready to wait your royall Grace upon How now Robin said the King what canst thou rime A little my Liege quoth he as I see place and time His Grace laughing heartily told him that he heard say he could sing well Trust me quoth Robin at your Graces request You shall well perceive we will do one best Hereupon the King sate him down where many great Lords and Ladies attended his Highnesse And being in the Christmas time Robin with his fellows had liberty to declare their cunning before our King but his Princely presence did so amate them that they were quite dash'd out of countenance which his Grace perceiving gave them many gracious words of incouragement whereupon they began in this sort singing a song of the winning of Bullen The Song of the winning of Bullen sung before the King by round Robin and his fellows IN the moneth of October our King would go to Dover By leave of Father and the Son A great army of men well appointed there was then before our Noble King to come The valiant Lord Admirall he was Captain Generall Of all the royall Navy sent by Sea The sight was wothy to behold to see the ships of shining gold and flags and streamers sailing all the way At Bullen then arriving with wisdom well contriving the armed men were set in battle ray And Bullen was besieged round our men with drum trumpets sound before it march'd couragious that day Then mark how all things chanced before them was advanced the royall Standard in the bloudy field The Frenchmen standing on the walls to them our English Heralds calls wishing in time their City for to yeeld Our King hath sent to prove you because that he doth love you he profferd mercy if you will imbrace If you deny his kind request and in your obstinacy rest behold you bring your selves in wofull case Quoth they we do deny you and flatly we defie you fair Bullen is a famous Maiden Town For all the deeds that hath been done by conquest never was she won she is a Lady of most high renown VVhen they so unadvised his proffer had despised our Ordinance began to shoot amain Continuing eight hours more for why our King most deeply swore her Maidenhead that he would obtain VVhen thus his Grace had spoken he sent her many a token firie balls and burning brazen rings Fair broad arrows sharp and swift Which came among them with a drift Well garnisht with the gray goose wings This maiden town that lately did shew her self so stately In seeking favour many tears she shed Upon her knees then fell she down saying O King of high renown Save now my life and take my maidenhead Zo thus her self she ventred streight her streets were entred And to the market place she marched free Never a Frenchman durst withstand to hold a weapon in his hand For all the gold that ever he did see Their Song being ended our King cast them a purse with fifty fair Angels for a reward and so they had liberty to depart and when they came home they told their Master all their merriment before the King and what his Grace had bestowed on them and powring the Gold upon the table and their Master told it for them and every mans share was five pound a piece Which when Robin saw he swore he would bestow a supper upon his Master and Mistris though it cost him two angels his fellows hearing him so frée said they would joyn with him and invite all the Shoomakers in Westminster to bear them company Content quoth Robin with all my heart And twenty shillings will I spend for my part And as I am a true man and sung before our King As much shall each of you spend before our parting So shall we have musick and gallant chear Sack and sugar Claret wine strong Ale and Beere This being concluded they met at the sign of the Bell and they were very merry and Robin began to blame his Master that in thrée years time had not got his Mistris with child hold quoth he I have but jested all this while but when I fall on in earnest I will make her belly rise like a Tun of new Ale thou knowest I am the Cock of Westminster I quoth Robin you had that name More for your rising than your goodness in Venus game But suddenly after this his Master dyed being a good friend to decayed house kéepers a worthy example for all men to follow CHAP. 5. The pleasant Story of Peachy the famous Shoomaker of Fleetstreet in London MVch about this time there liv'd in London a rich Shoomaker and a gallant housekéeper who being a brave person was therefore of most men called lustey Peachy he kept all the year long forty sad men and Prentices at work and every one be cloathed in tawny Coats which he gave as his Livery with black Caps and yellow Feathers and every Sunday and holy day when this Gentlemanlike Citizen want to Church in his black Gown garded with Velvet it was his order to have all his men in their Liveries to wait upon him with every man his Sword and Buckler ready at any time it need required It came to passe upon St. Georges day that this Eolly Shoomaker being servant to the Duke of Suffolk went to the Court with all his men after him to give attendance upon his noble Master which some young Gentlemen more wanthen wise pick a quarrel thereby to try his Manhood qd they did you ever sée a Shoomaker a Cobling Companion brave it so as this fellow doth sée what a train of hardy Squires and squaring lads they be they look as if they would fight with Gargantus and yet I durst lay my life they dare scant kill a Hedge-hog I warrant you there is never a Knight that goes with such a train it were good sport to try what they could do My mastes I tell you this fellow is a hardy Coin he is currant mettle y-faith and whensoever you try him you 'l find him not flie a soot With that comes by lusty Tom Stuteley and Strangwidge two gallant Sea Captains who were attired in Crimson Velvet in watched silk thrump hats and white frathers having Pages attending with their weapons ask'd what was the matter marry Captain quoth they we are all beholding to ponder lusty Gallant with so many waiting on him with Tawny Coats S'blood what to be quoth Stuteley be séems to be a gallant man said Stangwide and were it not I sée him in the Duke of Suffolks livery I should take him to be some Lord Nay quoth Stuteley he is some Knight of good living
Gentlemen quoth they you are deceived in your judgements for he is a good Shoomaker living in Fleetstreet What but a Shoomaker quoth Stuteley O that word makes me scratch my elbow Can a Shoomaker come with more serving men at his héels then Captain Stuteley sée how it makes my blood rise sée how he squares it out sée what a company of handsome fellows follow him â—is twenty pound to a penny but they are better men their Master not so quoth the Gentlemen for their birth and bringing up are much at one for they are all Shoomakers now by this iron age quoth Stuteley were it not that he is attendant on the Duke I would have him by the ears presently I wiâ— say a hundred pound that Captain Strangwidge and I beat him and his Courty men The Gentlemen being ready to set this match forward commended the Captains high courage Well Gentlemen said they you say he dwells in Fleetstreet and that he is a Shoomaker never swear we with become his Customers Nay quoth Stuteley we will bespeak Boots on him and so we will raise our quarrel for if they come not on easte and sit on our legs neatly we 'll beat them about their ears and if they take it in dudgin and follow us for revenge if we make not them leap before us like Monkies and run like shéep-biters wée'l lase our credits for ever But what if you chance to kill one of them what care we we are bound to Sea on a gallant voyage where they cannot go forward without us and when they are séeking of us in Fleetstreet we shall be séeking out the Coast of Florida Within a while after Stuteley and Strangwidge having thus determined came into Fleestreet and inquired for Pâ—â—chies shop and when they came to the house they inquired for the good man the foreman of the shop demanded what their wills was why knabs quoth they let us speak with your Master Gentlemen quoth he if you lack any commodity in our shop I can fit you why Iack sauce quoth Stuteley know you to whom you speak The fellow being displeas'd at his words roundly answers ask you to whom I speak quoth he yes goodman flateap said Strangwidge we ask to whom you speak she quoth he I speak to a velvet slave a stiken slave with that Stuteley puld out his Dagger and began to strike at the fellow which one of his fellows séeing slung a Last at his head and feld him to the ground Strangwidge thereupon drew his sword but by that time the fellow had took down his Sword and Buckler and so well defended himself that Strangwidge could do him no hurt But Peachie hearing a noise in the step asked the cause of the quarrel his servants told him they gave the Iournemen til language whereupon Peache went unto them saying how now Captains how grew this quarrel between you and my men Thy men quoth Stuteley Thy Rogues and thy self is no better sir you wrong me sayes Peachie and get you gon from my door for I tell you Stuteley and Strangwidge both that I kéep forty good fellows in my house that in respect of their manhood may be your equals I le tell thee what Peacie if we two beat not thee and thy forty men I durst be hang'd up at thy door Fie fie quoth Peachie dare you two take five take that and try quoth Strangwidge and therewithall gave him a sound blow upon the ear nay this is too much quoth Peachie put up this and put up all Stuteley and Strangwidge if you be men meet me in Lincolns Inne fields presently Content said they and so they went their wayes Peachie fetching straight his Sword and Buckler and call'd his man John Abridges and so into the fields they went where they met wich these lusty Cavaleers The two Captains seeing him come onely with one man ask'd if there were all the help he had I will request no more quoth Peachy to beat you doth out of the fields Brag is a good dog quoth Stuteley but tell us hast thou made thy will what if I have not quoth Peachie why then quoth Strangwidge for thy wife and childrens sake go home and do it or get more help to preserve thy life What how now Master quoth John Abridges come you into the field to fight with women for these be two disguised Butter-whoreâ— that have more skill in scolding then sighting shall we be thus outbrav'd quoth Stuteley and therewith drawing their Weapons they fell to it lustily where Peachy and his man so bravely laid about them that they beat both the Captains out of breath in which tray Stuteley was wounded in the head and Strangwidge in the Sword arm but at last they were parted so prevent further mischief The Captains got them to the Surgeon but Peachy and his man went directly home and while they were dressing Peachie sent to Stuteley a Handkerchief by one of his men and by another a scarf to Strangwidge by the third he sent a bâ—tâ—le of Aqua viâ—ae wishing them to be of good chear The Captains finding these favour 's to be but stouts were more grâ—eved thereat then their hurt and therefore with many disdainfull spéeches they refused his courtesie And you shall understand that afterward Peachies men by two and two at a time did often méet and fight with them and so narrowly would they watch them that they could be in no place at quiet for them insomuch that the Captains sound fighting work enough and more then they willingly would so that they were seldom out of the Surgions hands Vpon a time it chanced that being upon a point of their voyage to sea Stuteley and Strangwidge having béen at Court and newly come from my Lord-Admirals lodging before they came to Chairing Crosse they were encountred by two of lusty Peachies men who presently drew upon them and laid so about them that the two Captains were glad at length to house themselves for refuge Now a plague on them quoth Stuteley we shall never be quiet for these Queistrels Captain Strangwidge there is no other shift but to séek their frindship therefore to kéep our limbs sound against we go to Sea it is best to use a means to quiet this grudge Then said Strangwidge it were good to do so if a man knew how but you may be sure they will not easily be intreated séeing we have abused them in spéech and albeit they sent divers of their friends unto Master Peachy and by his men yet they would not yield nor give consent to be appeased so that the Captains were at length constrained to make sute to the Duke of Suffolk to take up the matter who most honourably performed their request and so the grudge ended betwixt them to the great credit of Master Peachie and all his men CHAP. 6. How Henry Nevel and Tom Drum came to serve Peachie of Fleet-street PEachies same running through England by means of the fâ—ays which
content plotted how he might cast out the Doctor and so prefer his own suite at last lighting on a device fit for the purpose there was an Gâ—iptian woman at Blackâ—Wall who was in travel with child and could not be delivered by the Midwives thereabout Harry Nevel hearing of it thought it fit to imploy Doctor Burbet about it who in the mean time might the better prefer his own suite to the Widdow Whereupon he sent one to him attired like a servingman booted and spurred who coming to the Widdows house he askt for Doctor Burket what would you have with him said the Maids quoth he my Lady Sunborne hath sent for him in post hast and therefore I must néeds speak with him the Maid presently went and toâ—d him when Doctor Burket heard he took his leave of the Widow and came to the messenger saying how now fellow what wouâ—d your Lady have with me Sir said he she desires you to come with all spéed for she is wondrous sick the Doctor presently took horse and away he goes with the Servingman Harry hearing of his departure came to the Widdow with a smiling countenance and merrily began to wooe her Fair Mistris quoth Harry I know said he it is the custom of women at first to make their denial to their lovers because they would not be accounted easily won or soon entreated ut dear Lady nature hath not adorned your face with such incomparable beauty and fram'd every part so excellently to wound men with woe but to work their content Wherefore now swéet Mistris in the April of your years and the swéet summer of your dayes banish not the pleasure incident to bright beauty but honour me with the fair fruit of your womb and make me blessed by being Father to the issue of your delicate body Nay then Sir said she I perceive you will grow troublesome and shew your self no such men as you professe your self and I may say your friendship is more in words then in déeds and I perceive I must call my maid for a cup of yolding beer before you will depart Nay Lady said he I will save you that labour séeing your love commands me and I pray God grant you in a favourable mind at our next méeting and so he departed Now you shall understand that this gallant widdow had in her house a proper young man which was her Prentice who long had born his Mistris good will at last he declares his mind to a secret friends who comforts him in this sort Tush said she what if she be thy Mistris be not ashamed to shew thy affection to her but try her thou know'st not how fortune may savour thy suit O quoth he if I were out of my time I could have some heart to woe her Pâ—sh stand not on those terms said his friend Francis for she will never requite kindnesses with discourtesies and therefore William be not too fearful The time at last being come that Mistris Farmer had appointed to have her books cast up she gets her to her closet and whistles to her maid to bid William bring her up the books which very willingly he came to her and said Mistris quoth he doubt not but that your estate is good for I have béen as carefull and as just to keep it as if it had béen mine own I am said she the more beholding to thee neither shalt thy true service go unrewarded if I live or if I dye thou shalt not be altogether forgotten These kind spéeches comforted Williams heart whereupon be â—ell to his reckonings roundly till his mind running on his Mistrisses beauty would misse and count three-score and four-score nine score there you misreckon fourty said she O my dear Mistris blame me not if I do so seeing your sweet presence hath made wiser then my self to dote but pardon dear Mistris my presumption in being thus bold to unburthen my hearts affection to you and therefore sweet Mistris despise not him who has been your faithfull fervant but yeeld unto him your savour which may prolong his dayes with blessed years His Mistris with lowring looks made him this answer how now sirra hath my too much mildness made you so saâ—cy can you set your love on no lower pitch but you must seek to be Master of your Mistris Hereupon she commanded her man Richard to take his place and to be fore-man of the shop and gracing him with the keys of her Closet and commanding her man William to fetch her some Oysters and a pint of Claret Wine and bring them to her Chamber Will overjoy'd at these words ran with all speed brought them to her when she saw him she with a smiling countenauce said what Wilkin art thou come that is well done bring them hither said she and the Manchet and Whitewine yes forsooth I will and if you please I will open the Oysters for you which he did and opened faster then she could eat William said she you are quick in opening of Oysters yet 〈◊〉 in costing up your Accounts these words put William in mind of former passages and made him more eager to renew his suit to his dear Mistris and said O my dear Mistris said William 〈◊〉 not a pleasant youth and in the glory of his age to dye which I shall if you deny to grant to me your favor and to make me your husband She thereat seem'd very coy and took it in disgrace yet to herself had granted his request that he proferâ—d such love and liking to her 〈…〉 to him what has my familiarity made you so sawcy at which words William seem'd to be angry and said nay Mistris said he if you had been as willing to grant my request as I have been forward to follow your precepts I might long ere this enjoyed what I now have desired and therewithall he departed These words the seriously took into consideration and told her friends what had past between her man William and she her friends being very willing and told her that he was a proper young man and that â—he might live more happily with him then with Doctor Burket or Harry Nevel at which words the utterly renounces them too and resolves to live and dye with William William hearing her resolute answer spake thus to her I see you have so freely granted my request worthy I were to dye a begger if I should refuse so 〈◊〉 a treasure and thereupon joyned their hearts and hands and being married they lived many happy dayes together CHAP. 10. Of the green King of Saint Martins and his merry feats THâ—re dwelt in Saint Martins a jolly Shoomaker he was commonly called the Green King for that upon a time he shewed himself before King Henry with all his men attâ—nding on him clothed all in gréen Saâ—ten Thâ—s gréen King as they call'd him he was a man very humourous and of a small statute but most valiant and couraious and he continually used
she was had in good reputation with her neighbours and having no néed of any of their Favours every one was ready to pâ—offer her courtesie saying good neighbor if you want any thing tell us and look what friendship we may do you be sure you shall find it I neighbour quoth she I know your kindâ—esse and may speak thereof by experience wrll may I compare you to him that would never bid any man to dinner but at two of the clâ—ck in the afternoon when he was â—ssured they had fiâ—d their bellies before and that they would not touch his meat except for manneâ—s sake wherefore for my part I will give you many thanks for your kindnesses when I take benefit of your pâ—offer Why neighbour we speak for your good quoth they T is true quoth she and so say they that call for wiâ—e to bestow on a drunken man when they know it will do him as much good in his boots as his belly Well neighbour said they God be thanked that you have no cause to make use of any of your friends Marry Amen quoth she for if I had I think I should find few there these and the like gréetings were often betwixt her and her neghbours At last her husband came home and to his great comfort found his Estate so good that he had great cause to bless God for the same for a warm purse is the best medicine for a cold 〈◊〉 that may be The gréen King therefore boasting himself as brave as ever he did haâ—ing sworn himself a faithful companion to his two-handed sword would never go without it Now when his ancient acquaintance saw him again so gallant every one was ready to curry â—avour with him and many would proffer him Wine And where before they were wont to thrust him to the kennell and nothing respecting his poverty they give him now the upper hand in every place saluting him with cap and knée But he remembring how slightly they set by him in his néed did now as slightly estéems heir â—lâ—ttery saying I cry you mercy me thâ—nks I take séen your face but I never knew you for my friend No quoth one I dwell at Aldersgate and am your néer neighbour and so much the worse said the Gréen King wherefore quoth the other because said he I think the place is méet for an honester man I trust sir you know no hurt by me Nor any goodnesse quoth the green King but I remember you are be or one of them of whom once I would have borrowed forty pence yet could not get it if thereby I might have saved forty lives therefore goodman â—og or good man cog or good man dog chuse you whether scrape no acquaintance of me nor come any more in my company I would advise you least with my long sword I chop off your coward legs and make you stand like Saint Martins begger upon two stilts The fellow bearing him say so went his wayes and never durst speak to him afterward CHAP. 11. How the Green King went a walking with his wife and got Anthony now now to play before them in which sort he went with her to Bristol THe Gréen King being a man much given to go abroad his Wife upon a time thus made her moan to him husband quoth she I think you are the unkindest man alive for as often as you walk abroad you were never the man that did once take me in your company it is no small grief unto me while I sit doting at home every sunday and holy day and to sée how other men walk with their wifes and lovingly hear them company into the fields that thereby they may have some recreation after their weeks weary foyle this pleasure have they for their pains but I poor soul could never get such a courtesie at your hands either it must needs be that you love me but little or else you are ashamed of my company and I tell you true you have no reason for the one or the other Well quoth he my dear séeing you are so desirous to walk a broad with me Thursday next is Saint Iames's day against which time prepare your self to go with me to the Fair where by the grace of God I will bestow a fat Pig upon you and there I mean to be merry and doubt not but that I will walk with you till you are weary of walking Nay quoth the I should never be weary of your company though I went with you to the worlds end God a mercy for that wife said he but so doing I doubt I should try you a very good footwoman or a bad flatterer Thus it past till Thursday was come and in the mean season méeting with two or thrée other Shoomakers he asked them if they would walk with him and his wife to Saint Iames's Faire that we will with all our hearts said his fellow Shoomakers but will you not like flinchers go back from your words quoth the gréen King To that they said which if they did they would forfeit unto him a gallon of wine Tush said the gréen King talk not to me of a gallon of wine but will you be bound in a bond of twenty pound a peece to perform it Why quoth the Shoomakers what néeds bands for such a matter as this we hope that you will take our words for a great deal more then this My Masters said the gréen King the world is grown to that pass that wordâ— are become wind and I will trust you as little on your word as long Meg on her honesty therefore if you will be bound in a bond so if not I will make no account of your company The Shoomakers hearing these words and they knowing him to be a man of a merry mind after that they had washed their wits well with Wine to the Scriveners they went and there they bound themselves in twenty pound bond according to his request They had no sooner made amend of this merry match but presently into another Tavern they get and who should they méet but that merry companion Anthony now now who as soon as he spied the gréen King he smiled with a wry 〈◊〉 but joyfully imbraced him with both his hands saying what my dear Master well are you met said Anthony and pray you Sir when came you from the other side of the water by my troth you are welcome and I am glad to see you with all my heart God a mercy good Anthony said the green King but how comes it to passe that you go not so often into Saint Martins as you were wont to do O Master said Anthony you may remember what song I made at your parting when you went to Graves end Yes marry said the gréen King and what of that quoth he by singing that under your window all the merry Shoomakers in Saint Martins have got it by the end and now with their so often singing it up and down amongst their jovial crew that