When on a sudden several of the nobles came into the cellar, extraordinary rich in apparel, and all stood uncovered before Harry Tudor, which put the cobbler into a great amazement at first, but presently recovering himself, he looked more wishfully upon Harry Tudor, and soon knowing him to be the king, whom he saw in his presence chamber, though in another habit, he immediately fell upon his knees saying,
May it please your Grace, may it please your Highness, I am a poor honest cobbler and mean no harm.
No, no, said the king, nor shall receive any here, I assure you.
He commanded him therefore to rise, and be as merry as he was before; and though he knew him to be the king, yet he should use the same freedom with him as he did before, when he mended the heel of his shoe.
This kind speech of the king’s and three or four glasses of wine, made the cobbler be in as good humour as before, telling the king several of his old stories and singing some of his best songs, very much to the satisfaction of the king and all his nobles.
THE
COBBLER’S SONG
IN THE
KING’S CELLAR.
Come let us drink the other pot,