The History of Sir Richard Whittington — John Shaqi
The History of Sir Richard Whittington
History
The History of Sir Richard Whittington
Folklore -- England; Whittington, Richard, -1423
The servants not knowing anything of the business, went unto him into
the kitchin, where he was then rubbing the spits, scouring the kettles,
and making clean the dressers, and told him he must come to his Master
presently into the parlor. The poor man excused himself, that his
shooes were dirty and the room was rubb’d, and if he should but touch
any thing there he should spoyl and deface those things in the room.
But still the master of the House called for Master Whittington,
sending one servant after another till he was brought before him; and
having scraped some few legs, instantly his master took him by the
hand, and called for a chair for Master Whittington, his daughter, the
pilot, and the factor, every one of them saluted him by the name of Mr.
Whittington and forced him to sit down. He wondering what this should
mean desired them not to mock a poor simple man who meant none any
harm, &c. and wept (the tears dropping from his eyes), desiring them
not to deride his poverty, for his ambition was never to come so high
as from the kitchin to the hall much more from the hall to the parlor.
Then came his master to him seriously and said, Indeed Mr. Whittington,
we are all in very good earnest, for you are at this time a better
man than myself in estate, and then shewed him all those cabinets and
caskets, and how richly they were lined.
When he perceived by all their earnest asservations that all was true
he first fell down upon his knees and gave God most hearty thanks,
who out of his great bounty would vouchsafe to cast an eye upon so
poor and wretched a creature as himself; then turning to his master
he presented all his riches before him and told him that all he had
was at his disposing and service, who answered him again, that for his
own part God had sent him sufficient of his own, neither would he take
from him the value of one Barbary ducket. He came nere and with a low
leg saluted his mistris, and told her that when she pleased to make
choice of a husband he would make her the richest marriage in London,
because she was so willing out of her own purse (when he was altogether
penniless) to lay out for his adventure. To the pilot, and master, and
every officer, and common saylor he gave liberal according to their
degree, even to the ship boy, and then to every servant of the house,
nay to the very kitchin wench who was so churlish unto him, and had so
often basted him instead of her roast meats; having caused her to be
called unto him he gave her an hundred pounds towards her marriage.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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