_The Tinker complains to the Courtier of a Butcher's Dog
that often assaulted him. The Courtier, in the
Tinker's habit, fights and kills him;
and of his Examination before a Justice._
The Tinker being awarded with a crown for his dexterity, went away; but
one day being in merry talk with our Courtier, he changed his tone
sadly, and told him that a butcher, on such a road, kept a lion-like
mastiff dog; that he was not so much afraid to encounter him, as that if
he would kill him, the butcher as he told him, would send him to jail,
and punish him at the next sessions, having one Justice Clodpole on his
side, who was his landlord, and whose house he served with meat, and
doubted not would hearken to anything he said against him although ever
so false and unjust.
Sir John having listened to his complaint, and laughed, bid him be of
good cheer, for himself would try the dog adventure. Upon this he
ordered some clothes to be brought, which the Tinker stripping, put on,
and the Knight put on his, except his shirt, and taking his budget, pike
staff, kettle, and hammer, away he went, beating his kettle, and crying,
"Work for a Tinker," till he came near the butcher's house. The dog soon
heard the tink, tink, and away he runs open-mouthed to meet the Tinker,
they laughing to see how he would fright him; but Sir John having now
thrown down his budget, was ready to receive him with the pike end of
the staff, and after the dog wheeled, he returned and advanced eagerly
to fly at his throat, but he thrust the pike of his staff into his
breast; upon which he ran away howling, and tracing the ground with his
blood, till he came to his master's, where he died. At this he was so
much enraged, that he carried a constable, and seized the Knight, who
purposely made no resistance. So taking him before a Justice, he made
very great complaints against him.
The Justice very gravely demanded what the fellow was brought before him
for? The butcher said, "An't please your Worship, fur killing my
servant." "Aye," said the Justice, "he looks like a bloody-minded
villain, therefore write his mittimus, and see he be well-ironed, lest
he make his escape."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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