honest blade, it shall not be long before I make a

holiday to come and see thee at court." replied, "You shall be kindly welcome."

The King

So they parted; the King on his way to Whitehall, and the cobbler to his cellar, putting all things to rights before his wife, Joan, got up; and went to work again, whistling and singing, as merry as he used to do; being much satisfied that he had happened on such a good companion; and very much delighted at thinking how merry he should be when he came to the court.

CHAPTER III

The Cobbler's preparation to go to Court; and the pains his wife took to set him off to the best advantage.

As soon as the King came home, he gave his orders to all about the court, that if any one inquired for him by the name of Harry Tudor, the person should be brought before him without further examination. Now, the cobbler thought every day a month until he had been at court to see his new acquaintance; and he was much troubled how he should get leave of his wife, Joan: for he could not go without her knowledge, because he resolved to make himself as fine as ever he could, and his wife, Joan, always kept his holiday clothes.

So one evening, as they sat at supper, she being in a good humor, he began to lay open his mind to her, and showed her the manner of the acquaintance,

repeating it, over and over again, that he was the honestest man he had ever met. "Husband," said she, "because you have been so generous to tell me the truth, I will give you leave to make a holiday. You shall go to court as fine as I can make you.'

So it being agreed that he might go the next day, Joan arose betimes the next morning to brush her husband's clothes; and to make him look as snug as might be, she washed and ironed his laced band, and made his shoes so shine that he might see his face in them. Having done this, she made her husband arise, washed him well with warm water, put him on a clean shirt, and afterwards dressed him in his best clothes, and pinned his laced band in front.

CHAPTER IV

The Cobbler's reception at Court; with the manner of his behavior before the King.

The cobbler, being thus equipped, strutted through the streets like a crow in a gutter, thinking himself as fine as the best of them all. In this manner came he to court; staring at this body, and on that body, as he walked up and down, and knowing no one to ask for but Harry Tudor.

At last he espied one, as he thought, in the habit of a serving man, to whom he made his addresses, saying, "Do you hear, honest fellow, do you know one Harry Tudor, who belongs to the court?"

"Yes," said the man, "follow me; and I will take you to him." With that, he took him presently up into the guard-chamber, telling one of the yeoman of the guard there was one that inquired for Harry Tudor. The yeoman replied, "I know him very well; and if you please to go along with me, I will bring you to him immediately."

The cobbler followed the yeoman, admiring the finery of the rooms he went through, and thinking within himself that the yeoman was not very unlike the person inquired after. He, whom I look after," said he, "is a plain, merry, and honest fellow: his name is Harry Tudor; I suppose he may be some fine lord or other about the court." "I tell you, friend,” replied the yeoman, “I do know him very well; do but follow me, and I will bring you to him straight."

So going forward, he came to the room where the King was, accompanied with many of his nobles. As soon as the yeoman had put by the arras, he spake aloud, saying, "May it please your Majesty, here is one inquires for Harry Tudor." The cobbler, hearing this, thought he had committed no less than treason; therefore he up with his heels, and ran away for it. for it. But not being acquainted with the several turnings and rooms through which he came, he was soon overtaken and brought before the King, whom the cobbler very little thought to be the person he inquired after.

He, therefore, fell on his knees, saying, “May it please your Grace, I am a poor cobbler, and inquired for one Harry Tudor, who is a very honest fellow. I mended the heel of his shoe, not long ago, for which he paid me nobly. I had him afterwards to my own cellar, where we supped together, and were very merry, till my wife Joan began to wake, which put an end to our merriment for that time. But I told him that I surely would be at court to see him as soon as I conveniently could."

"Well," said the King, " rise up, and be not afraid! Look well about you, peradventure you may find the fellow in this company." So the cobbler arose and looked wishfully upon the King, and his nobles, but to no purpose: for, although he thought he saw something in the King's face which he had seen before, yet he could not imagine him to be Harry Tudor, the heel of whose shoe he had mended, and who had been so merry with him, both at the inn, and in 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 the person that he looked for was a plain, honest, true-hearted fellow; adding withal, that he was sure if Harry Tudor did but know that he was come to court, he would make him welcome. At which speech of the cobbler, the King had much ado to forbear laughing outright; but keeping his countenance as well as he could, he said to the yeo