various questions by the servants, and as often told them his imaginary vision; but they giving him no strong liquor, he often complained of it in the town, saying, Though some had praised Sir John's liberality, and how free he was of his liquor, yet for his own part, he could say no such thing, as having ever found him so stingy and higgardly, that not so much as one sup of his fam'd March or October beer could he get. This being babbled about, came to the Courtier's ears, who was resolved to punish his sauciness, though in a comical way: So one day as he was passing by, he ordered him to be called in to do some work; and after he had done it, to come to him (as having laid all the scheme with his servants beforehand.) Come old fellow, said he, you look as if you were as dry as Vulcan. What say you, if I should order you where you may have your full of good drink? Would not you be glad of it? Ay, Master, said he, making a nod and a scrape; God's blessing on your heart for it, and I thank you too.
Upon this, he ordered his butler to have him down, and be sure not to stint him, but let him have his full swill: They instantly went, and the Tinker followed them very joyfully; but they had no sooner gotten him down, but shutting to the door close, they ordered him to strip immediately; at the which he much wondered, and began to make excuses on account of the blackness of his hide, which would be very undecent and unseemly. But they pretended it was the way of the cellar, when a new comer was to be made free of it, but never after, how oft soever he came. He being willing to comply, that he might have his skin full of good liquor, that might prove both as meat and cloth to him; off went his leathern doublet, breeches, shoes, stockings, and hat; as for
