7
Now it happened, a young shepherd grazing his flock near the road, said to his master, Zur, I zee many gentlemen ride to the court at Canterbury, but ne'er see 'em return again. O shepherd! said his master, I know not how they should; for they attempt to watch with the King's daughter, according to the decree and not performing it, they are all beheaded. Well, said the shepherd, I'll try my vorton; zo now vor a king's daughter or a headless shepherd. And taking his bottle and bag, he trudg'd to court. Now, in his way he was to cross a river, over which lay a plank, down he sits, and pulls off his shoes and stockings to wash his feet, lest the smell of his toes might be the means of keeping her awake: while he was washing his feet a fish came smelling and biting his toes, he caught it and put it into his bag: after which came a second, a third, and a fourth, which he caught and put in his bag likewise; this done, and dried his feet, he put on his stockings and shoes, and pursued his journey till he came to the palace, where he knocked loudly with his crook: he was no sooner let in, and having told his business, but he was conducted to a hall, prepared for that purpose, where the king's
