John Cheap, the Chapman's Library. Vol. 1: Comic and Humorous: The Scottish Chap Literature of Last Century, ClassifiedGraham, Dougal
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John Cheap, the Chapman's Library. Vol. 1: Comic and Humorous: The Scottish Chap Literature of Last Century, Classified
Graham, Dougal
Chapbooks, Scottish; English literature -- 18th century; Graham, Dougal, 1724-1779; Popular literature -- Scotland
May it please your Grace, may it please your Highness, I am a poor
cobbler, who inquired for one Harry Tudor, who is a very honest
fellow, I mended the heel of his shoe not long since, and for which
he paid me nobly, and gave me two pots to boot: but I had him
afterwards to my cellar, where we drank part of a cup of nappy ale,
and were very merry, till my wife Joan began to grumble which put
an end to our merriment, for that time, but I told him I would come
to the court and see him, as soon as conveniently I could.
Well, said the king, don’t be troubled, would you know this honest
fellow again, if you could see him?
The cobbler replied, Yes, that I will among a thousand.
Then said the king, stand up, and be not afraid, but look well
about you, peradventure you may find the fellow in this company.
Whereupon the cobbler arose, and looked wishfully upon the king and
the rest of the nobles, but it was to little or no purpose; for
though he saw something in the king’s face which he thought he had
seen before, yet he could not be Harry Tudor, the heel of whose
shoe he had mended, and who had been so merry a companion with him
at the inn, and at his own cellar.
He therefore told the king he did not expect to find Harry Tudor
among such fine folks as he saw there, but that the person he
looked for was a plain honest fellow. Adding withal, that he was
sure that did Harry Tudor but know he was come to court, he would
make him very welcome: for, says the cobbler, when we parted he
charged me to come to court soon and see him, which I promised I
would, and accordingly I have made a holyday on purpose to have a
glass with him.
At which speech of the cobbler’s the king had much ado to forbear
laughing out, but keeping his countenance as steady as he could
before the cobbler, he spoke to the yeoman of the guard.
Here, said he, take this honest cobbler down into my cellar, and
let him drink my health; and I will give orders that Harry Tudor
shall come to him presently.
So away they went, the cobbler being fit to leap out of his skin
for joy, not only that he had come off so well, but that he should
see his friend Harry Tudor.
CHAP. V.
The Cobbler’s entertainment in the King’s Cellar.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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