Page:History of Valentine and Orson (5).pdf/19

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COURTIER AND TINKER.
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shirt he had none, having pawned it to his hostess that morning for three noggins of brandy. Then taking a frisk or two in a merry vein, they surprisingly whipt him up by the heels, and put him into a full butt of strong beer, the upper head being taken up for that purpose. So he dipped over head and ears like a duck that dives Yet after he had recovered his legs, it was but just shoulder deep, for when upon winding of the horn; whilst he would have been scrambling out, down came Sir John, demanding what was the matter. They told him, "The Tinker was not content to drink full horns at the cock, but would needs get in to drink all at a draught." "Aye," said he, "this is a thirsty soul indeed; but since he undertakes to drink it, he shall do it, for none of my servants shall drink it now, he has washed his dirty hide in it;" crying to him with an angry voice, "Sirrah, you rogue, drink it as you proposed, or it shall be worse for you;" and while he stood shivering up to his neck, and was endeavouring to lay the blame upon others, the Courtier seemed impatient to be dallied with, drew a broad sword that was two-edged, protesting his head should go off for abusing his good liquor, was there no more Tinkers in the world, and with that, making a full blow at him, as the Tinker believed, and seeing him in such a passion, he to avoid the coming stroke, dropped down over head and ears, staying under as long as he could, and peeping up, and seeing the threatening danger, he dropt down again for six or seven times. 'Till fearing to carry the jest too far, he gave him a short respite, telling him, "Now he could not report abroad he was so very niggardly of his drink, for he had or might have enough of it."-Then bidding his servants to take him out, and order