quoth the tanner, It will breede sorrow;

For after a coller commeth a halter,

I trow I shall be hangd tomorrow.

53

‘Be not afraid, tanner,’ said our king,

‘I tell thee, so mote I thee;

Lo, here I make thee the best esquier

in all the North Countrie.

54

‘And Plumton Parke I will giue thee,