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the conqueſt, for his downright honeſt ſimplicity has afforded us much paſtime.' Then ſaid the queen, 'I wiſh I had been there to have been partaker of this mirth.' Then the king replied, 'It may not be too late as yet; for I will contrive with the very firſt opportunity to give you a ſight of him under ſome diſguiſe; by which we will ſoon have new proofs of his pleaſant paſtime
But then ſaid the proud prelate Cardinal Wolſey, 'How do theſe frolics agree with your kingly dignity? what will your friends and allies ſay, when they will hear how you, converſe and take pleaſure in the company of a poor cobbler?' Why, ſaid the king, 'Wolſey, have you not heard of the induſtrious bee, that extracts honey as well from the meaneſt flowers, as the richeſt bloſſoms? and if ſo, why may not I experience the fidelity of my people by converſing with a poor cobbler, as well as I may by the crafty policy of a proud cardinal.'
This cheak pear ſtopped the mouth of cardinal Wolſey, whilſt the king, queen, and nobles, purſued their mirth to the height of their ſatisfaction.
CHAP. III.
YOU may remember how the cobbler at his frolicſome return home from court was ſummoned to bed by the ſtrict orders of Joan his commanding wife, where he ſlept ſecure till towards the morning, when ſhe ſuddenly made him ſtart with a thunder clap of 'Thou drunken ſwine and whimſical wood-cock, is it not time to riſe? Is this the courſe of life you intend to lead?' at which words the poor cobbler awakened, and that he might get out of the hearing of this certain lecture, he leap'd