K. James Ist. and the tinker/K. James Ist. and the tinker

King James the First, and the Tinker.

AND now to be brief, let's pass o'er the rest,
Who seldom or never was given to jest,
And come to King James the first on the throne,
A pleasanter monarch sure never was known.

⁠Once he was a chasing his fair fallow deer,
He dropp'd all his nobles of them he got clear,
In search of new pleasures away he did ride,
Till he came to an ale-house just by a wood-side.

⁠And there with a tinker he happen'd to meet,
And in this kind manner did lovingly greet,
He said, honest fellow, what's that in the jug,
Which under thy arm thou dost lovingly hug?

⁠In truth, says the tinker, 'tis nappy brown ale,
And for to drink to thee in truth I'll not fail,
For though that thy jacket is glorious and fine,
I hope that my twopence is as good as thine.

⁠Nay, now by my soul the truth shall be spoke,
Then straight he sat down with the tinker to joke,
He call'd for a pitcher the tinker another,
And so at it they went like brother and brother.

⁠While drinking, the King was pleased to say,
What news dost thou hear honest tinker I pray!
There is nothing of news the which I do hear,
But the King is a chasing his fair fallow deer.

⁠And truly I wish I so happy might be,
That while he is hunting, the King I might see,
Although I have travell'd the land many ways,
I ne'er saw the King yet in all my whole days.

⁠The King in a hearty brisk laughter reply'd,
I'll tell thee good fellow, if thou canst but ride,
Thou shalt get up behind me, and thee I will bring
Into the royal presence of James our King.

⁠Perhaps, quoth the tinker, his lords will be drest
So fine, that I cannot tell him by the rest,
They will, but I tell you, when once you come there
The King will be cover'd, his nobles all bare,

⁠Then up got the tinker, and hoisted the black
Budget of leather and tools on his back,
And when they came to the merry green wood,
His nobles came round him, and bare-headed stood:

⁠The tinker then seeing so many appear,
Immediately whisper'd the King in the ear,
Saying, since they are all cloth'd so gallant and gay,
Sir, which is the King now tell me I pray?

⁠The King to the tinker, then made this reply,
By my soul, man it must be either you or I:
The rest are bare-headed and uncover'd all round,
Thus said, with his budget he fell to the ground,

⁠Like one that was fright'ned quite out of his wits,
And then on his knees he immediately gets,
Beseeching his mercy, the King to him said,
Thou art a good fellow so be not afraid.

⁠Now tell me thy name: It is John of the Vale,
A mender of kettles, and a lover of ale.
Then rise up Sir John I will honour you here,
I'll make you a knight of three hundred a-year.

⁠This was a good thing for the tinker indeed,
Then soon to the court he was sent for with speed,
Where store of great pleasure and pastime were seen,
Into the royal presence of our King and Queen.