Coming to his Majesty, his fame rung through the court, and; as a reward of his services, the duke bestowed his daughter in marriage to Jack. The whole kingdom was filled with joy at the wedding; after which the king bestowed upon him a noble house, with a large estate, where he and his lady passed their days in great joy and happiness. * * * * * SIMPLE SIMON'S MISFORTUNES AND HIS WIFE MARGERY'S CRUELTY WHICH BEGAN _The very next Morning after their Marriage._ CHAPTER I. _An Account of Simon's Wedding, and his Wife's Behaviour the Day after their Marriage._ Simon, the subject of our ensuing discourse, was a man very unfortunate many years after marriage, not only by crosses, but by the cruelty of Margery his severe wife--his wedding day being the best he saw in seven years after, for then he had all his friends about him. Rough Ralph the Fiddler and Will the Piper were appointed to make him and his guests merry. Singing, dancing, and good feasting attended the day, which being ended, this loving couple went to bed, where their friends all left them. But the morning was ushered in with a mighty storm, only because Simon put on his roast-meat clothes. Thus she began the matter--"Why, how now, pray, and what is to-day, that you must put on your holiday clothes, with a pye-crust to you? What do you intend to do, say you, tell me quickly." "Nothing," said Simon, "but to walk abroad with you, sweet wife, as it is common on the day after marriage." "No, no," said Margery, "this must not, nor shall not be. It is very well known that I have brought you a very considerable fortune--forty shillings in money, and a good milch cow, four fat wethers, with half a dozen ewes and lambs; likewise, geese, hens, and turkeys; also a sow and pigs, with other moveables, worth more than any of your crook-back generation is able to give you. And do you think you shall lead as lewd a life now as you did before you married; but if you do, then say my name is not Margery. Now I've got you in the bands of matrimony I will make you know what it is to be married; therefore, to work you rascal, and take care that what I brought is not consumed; for, if you do not, what will become of your wife and children?" Now, Simon looked liked one that had neither sense nor reason, but stood amazed, as if there had been a whole army of Billingsgate shrews. However, recollecting what he had heard about scolds, he muttered to himself, "Udswagers, I think I have got a woeful one now." "What is that you say, sirrah?" said she. "Nothing, dear wife, but what you say I allow to be true." And so, taking his bag and bottle, he went forward to his daily labour: but, coming towards the lower end of the town, he chanced to meet old Jobson, a cobbler, a merry blade, who loved a cup of good ale.