MILLER. Hear you, neighbour; I pray consuade yourself and be not wilful, and let the cobbler deliver it: you shall see him mar all.
SMITH.
At your request I will commit myself to you,
And lay myself open to you, like an oyster.
MILLER. I'll tell him what you say. Hear you, neighbour, we have constulted to let you deliver the petition: do it wisely, for the credit of the town.
COBBLER.
Let me alone, for the king's carminger[313] was here;
He says the king will be here anon.
SMITH.
But hark! by the mass, he comes.
Enter the KING, DUNSTAN, and PERIN.
KING.
How now, Perin; who have we here?
COBBLER.
We, the townsmen of Gotham,
Hearing your grace would come this way,
Did think it good for you to stay.—
But hear you, neighbours, bid somebody ring the bells.—
And we are come to you alone, to deliver our petition[314].
KING.
What is it, Perin? I pray thee, read.
PERIN. Nothing but to have a license to brew strong ale thrice a week; and he that comes to Gotham, and will not spend a penny on a pot of ale, if he be a-dry, that he may fast.