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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.
