“ NOW it is to be noticed, that the cobbler was no sooner gone, but the king with his nobles began to renew their mirth, by rehearsing the many comical fancies and pleasant pranks with which the cobbler entertained them; and what added the more to their recreation and sport, was a certain lord, who put himself into a country habit, and imitated the cobbler so to the life, that the king & the rest of the nobles fell into a fit of laughter, which lasted for a considerable time without any intermission ”

“ Many thoughts came into his head, and amongst the rest, one he resolves upon, which is this, the king sends a man and a horse down into the country, there to buy leather fit for shoemakers, and to send it to London by the carrier, who come to the same inn, which was over against the foresaid cobbler. This was accordingly done, the king in the habit of a plain country man come to the inn with his queen, who in the dress of an innocent country maiden, past for his kinswoman, he passing for a tanner that was come to receive and sell the leather ”

“ How King Henry VIII. used to visit the watche in the City, and how he became acquainted with a merry jolly Cobbler. IT was the custom of King Henry VIII. late in the night, to walk the streets in disguise, to take notice how the constables and watch performed their duty in guarding the gates, and watching the inward parts of the city, to prevent those disturbances and casualties, which often happen by night, in great and populous cities. This he did often without the least discovery; always returning home to Whitehall early in the morning. ”

“ Now after the cobbler drank four or five good healths, he began to be merry and fell a singing his old songs and catches, which pleased the king very much, and made him laugh heartily; when on a suddne several of his nobles came into the cellar, extraordinary rich in apparel, who stood bare at Harry Tudor, which put the cobbler into a great amazemennt at first but recovering himself, he looked more wishfully upon Harry Tudor, when presently he knew him to be the king whom he saw in the presence chamber, though in another habit. ”

“ Here is one who enquires for Harry Tudor.' The cobbler hearing this, thought he had committed no less than treason, therefore he up with his heels and ran for it, but not being acquainted with the several turnings and rooms thro' which he came, he was soon overtaken and brought before the king, whom the cobbler little thought to be the person he enquired after, therefore in a trembling condition he fell down upon his knees, saying, 'May it please your Grace, may it please your Highness, I am a poor cobbler, and enquired for one Harry Tudor, who is a very honest fellow ”

“ At which the queen, when she heard it, laughed heartily; for he had many jokes and pleasant songs; he delighted the queen more than any thing she had seen or met with in her life. At length it grew towards noon, the cobbler was for going with them towards the court; but he must dress himself for he would not appear before the king in his cobbler's clothes for all the shoes in his shop.
CHAP. V.
How the King invited to Cobbler and his wife to dinner, and the discourse that passed thereupon. ”

“ No sooner were they again confined, but the cobbler with a trembling voice, said, 'Sweet wife, I wonder what the king intends to do with us now.' Quoth Joan, 'Pray thee be of comfort, I am persuaded that the king is the tanner, and the queen is the kinswoman.' 'Adsfoot, have a care of what you say, I shall have you speak treason, and then we shall both be hanged i (illegible text) ith after all.' 'Fear not husband, I can see as far into a milstone as he that picks it, I am sure tho they changed their apparel, they would not change their complexion. ”

“ Whereupon, one evening as they sat at supper, finding her in a very good humour, he began to open his mind to her, telling her the whole story of their acquaintance, and repeating over and over again that 'He was the honestest fellow that ever I met with.' 'Husband, quoth she, because you have been so ingenious as to tell me the whole truth, I will give you leave to make a holiday for this once ”

“ I think you told me he was something of a courtier, but I rather take him to be a charman or a drunken porter, pray (illegible text) here's the money you carried out with you? you had fourpence halfpenny of me that I let you have out of my own pocket, because I would have you appear like a man ”