The king and a poore n[or]therne man Shewing how a poore Northumberl[and] man, a tenant to the King, being wrong'd b[...] lawyer, (his neighbor) went to the King himsel[fe] to make knowne his grievances; full of simple mirth and merry plaine iests.

THE King and a poore Northerne man . COme harken to me all around , and I will tell you a merry tale : Of a Northumberland man , that held some ground , which was the Kings land in a dale ; He was borne and bred thereupon , and his Father had dwelt there long before : Who kept a good house in that Country , and stav'd the Wolfe from off his doore . Now for this Farme the good old man , iust twenty shillings , a yeare did pay . At length came cruell death with his dart , and this old Farmer he soone did slay : Who left behind him an aude wife then , that troubled was with micle paine ; And with her Crutches she walkt about , for she was likewise blind and lame . When that his Corpes were laid in the grave , his eldest sonne possesse did the Farme , At the same rent as his Father before , he tooke great paines and thought no harme . By him there dwelt a Lawyer false , that with his Farme was not content , But over the poore mans still hangs his nose , because he did gather the Kings rent . This Farme layd by the Lawyers Land , which this vile kerne had a mind unto , The déele a good conscience , had he in his bulke , that sought this poore man for to undoe : He told him that he his Lease had forfite , and that he must there no longer abide . The King by such lownes hath mickle wrong done , and for you the world is broad and wide . The poore man prayed him for to cease , and content himselfe , if he would be willing , And picke no vantage in my Lease , and I shall give thée forty shilling . It s neither forty shillings nor forty pound , I se warrant thée so , can agrée thée and me , Vnlesse thou yéeld me thy Farme so round , and stand unto my curtesie . The poore man said he might not doe sa , his wife and his Bearnes will make ill warke : If thou wilt with my Farme let me ga , thou séeme's a gud fellow , I se give the 5. Marks ▪ The Lawyer would not be so content , but further i' th matter he meanes to smell : The neighbors bad the poore man provide his rent , and make a submission to the King him sell . This poore man now was in a great stond , his senses they were almost wood : I thinke if a had not tooke grace in 's minde , that he would never againe béene good : His head was troubled in such a bad plight , as though his eyes were apple grey : And if good learning he had not tooke , he wod a cast himselfe away . A doughty heart he then did take , and of his mother did blessing crave , Taking farewell of his Wife and Bearnes , it earnd his heart them thus to leave ; Thus parting with the teares in his eyne , his bob-taild dog he out did call : Thou salt gang with me to the King , and so he tooke his leave of them all . He had a humble Staffe on his backe , a Ierkin I wat that was of gray , With a good blue Bonnet he thought it no lacke . to the King he is ganging as fast as he may . He had not gone a mile out o' th Toone , but one of his neighbours he did espy : How farre is t to 'th King , for thither I 'me boone , as fast as ever I can hye , I am sorry for you , neighbour , he sayd , for your simplicity I make moue , I se warrant you , you may aske to the King , when nine or ten daies iourneyes you have gone . Had I wist the King wond so farre , I se néere a sought him a mile out ot'th Toone , Hes either a sought me or weed neere a come nare at home I had rather spent a crowne . Thus past he alang many a weary mile , in raine and wet , and in foule mire ; That ere he came to lig in his bed , his dog and he full ill did tire ; Hard they did fare their charges to save , but alasse , hungry stomackes outcryes for meate , And many a sup of cold water they dranke , when in the lang way they had nought to eate , Full lile we knew his hard griefe of mind , and how he did long London to ken : But yet he thought he should finde it at last , because he met so many a men ; At length the top of Kirkes he spide , and houses so thicke that he was agast ; I thinke quoth he their land is full deere , for there 's nought that here lies wast . But when he came into 'th Citty of London , of every man for the King he did call , They told him , that he néede not feare , for the King he lies now at White-hall : For White-hall then he made inquire , but as he passed strange géere he saw , The bulkes with such guegawes were dressed that his mind atone side it did draw : Gud God unto himselfe he did say , what a déele a place am I cumne unto , Had a man I thinke a thousne pound in 's purse , him selve a might quickly héere undoe . At night then a lodging him a got , and for his supper he then did pay ; He told the host then héed goe lig in his bed : who straight tooke a condle and shewd him the way , Then with spying of Farlies in the Citty , because he had never béene there beforne , He lée so long a bed the next day , the Court was remov'd to Windsor that morn●… You ha laine too long in bed then said his host , you ha laine too long by a great while . The King is now to Windsor gone , he 's further to séeke by twenty mile . I thinke I was curst , then said the poore man , if I had bin wise I might ha consider , Belike the King of me has gotten some wéet , he had nee're gone away had I not come hither , He fled not for you , said the hoste , but hie you to Windsor as fast as you may , Be sure it will requite your cost , for looke what 's past the King will pay . But when he came at Winsor Castle , with his humble staffe upon his backe , Although the gates wide open stood , he laid on them till he made um crack .

Poor man with his staff and his dog meets porter at Windsor Castle gate Why stay pray friend , art mad , quoth the Porter , what makes thee kéepe this stirre to day ? Why I am a tenant of the Kings , and have a message to him to say . The King has men enough , said the Porter , your message well that they can say , Why there 's ne're a Knave the King doth kéepe , shall ken my secret mind to day . 〈◊〉 were told ere I came from home , ●…ere I came hither it would be deare bought , ●et me in , I se give a good single penny , I sée thou wilt ha small , ere thou 't doe for nought . Gramercy said the Porter then , thy reward 's so great , I cannot say nay , ●onders a Noble man within the Court , I le first heare what he will say . When the porter came to the Noble man , he said he would shew him a pretty sport , There 's sicke a Clowne come to the gate , as came not this seven yéeres to the Court , He cals all Knaves the King doth kéepe , he raps at gate and makes great din , He 's passing liberall of reward , héed give a good single penny to be let in . Let him in then said the Noble man : come in fellow the Porter gan say , If thou come within thy selfe , he said , thy staffe behind the gate must stay , And this Cuckolds curre must lig behind , what a déele what a cur hast got with thée ? The King will take him up for his owne sel , I se warrant when as he him doth sée . Be shrew thy limbs , then said the poore man . then maest thou count me foole , or worse ; I wat not what bankrout lies by the King , for want of money he may picke my purse . That 's to be feard then the Porter said , I se wish you to goe in well arm'd , For the King he hath got mickle company , and among them all you may soone be harm'd . Let him in with his staffe and his dog , said the Lord with that he gave a nod with 's head , & a beck with knée If you be sir King then said the poore man , as I can very well thinke ye be : For I was told ere I came from home , you 're the goodliest man ere I saw beforne . With so many Iingle iangles about ones necke , as is about yours I never saw none . I am not the King , then said the Nobleman , Fellow , although I have a proud coat : If you be not the King , helpe me to the spéech of him you séeme a good fellow , I se give you a groat . Gramercy , said the Nobleman , the rewards so great I cannot say nay , I le goe know the Kings pleasure if I can , till I come againe be sure thou stay . Héere s sicke a staying , then said the poore man , be like the King 's better then any in our countrey : I might ha gaue to 'th farthest nuke i th house , neither Lad nor lowne to trouble me . When the Nobleman came to the King , he said he should shew his Grace good sport , Here 's such a clowne come to the Gate , as came not this seven yeares to 'th Court. He cals all Knaves your Highnesse kéepes , and more then that , he termes them worse : Héel not come in without his Staffe , and his dog , for feare some Bankerout will picke his purse . Let him in with his staffe , and his dog , said our King , that of his sport we may sée some : Wée le sée how hée le handle every thing , as soone as the match of Bowles is done . The Nobleman led him through many a roome , and through many a Gallery gay . What a déele doth the King with so many toome houses , that he gets um not fild with Corne and Hay ? What gars these bables and babies all ? some ill have they done , that they hang by the wals ▪ And staring aloft at the golden roofe toppe , at a step he did stumble and downe he falles ; Stand up good fellow , the Nobleman said , what art thou drunke or blinde I trow ? I se neither am blind nor drunke , he sed , although in my Saule you ought are so , It is a disease , said the Lord againe , that many a good man is troubled withall , Quoth the Country man them , yet I made your proud stones to kisse my backside , though they gan me a fall . At last they spide the King in an Ally , yet from his game he did not start : The day was so hot that he cast off his Doublet , he had nothing from the wast up but his shirt .

Poor man carrying his staff, accompanied by his dog and a courtier, doffs his hat to the King, who had been playing a game of bowls (bowling) Loe yonder 's the King , said the Noble man , behold Fellow , loe , where he goes : Beléevet hée s some unthrift , sayes the poore man , that has lost his money , and pawnd his cloaths . How hapt he hath gat ne're a coate to his backe ? this bowling I like not , it hath him undone : I se warrant that fellow that 's in those gay cloaths he hath his coyne and his dublet won . But when he came before the King , the Nobleman did his curtesie , The poore man followed after him , & gave a nod with his head , & a becke with his kn●… If you be sir King , then said the poore man , as I can hardly thinke ye be , Here is a gude fellow that brought me hither , is liker to be King then ye . I am the King , his Grace now said , Fellow let me thy cause understand : If you be sir King I me a tenant ' of yours , that was born & up brought within your land . There dwels a Lawyer hard by me , and fault in my lease he sayes he hath found , And all was for felling of five poore Ashes , to build a house upon my owne ground . Hast thou a lease here , sayd the King , or canst thou shew to me the déed , He put it into the Kings owne hand , and said , Sir 't is heere , if that you can reade ▪ Why what if I cannot said our King , that which I cannot another man may , I have a boy of mine owne not seaven yeares old a will read you as swift , as youl l ●unith highway Le ts sée thy lease then said our King : then from his blacke boxe he puld it out , He gave it into the King owne hand , with foure or five knots ty'd fast in a clout , Wéest néere unloose these knote , sayd the King , he gave it to one that behind him did stay : It is proud horse , then said the poore man , will not carryes owne provender along the highway Pay me forty shilling as I se pay you , I will not thinke much to unloose a knot ,

Man in right foreground wielding an ax, having begun to chop down a tree; dog curled up near the tree; figure dressed in black in the distance (the lawyer?) I would I were so occupied every day , I de unloose a score an um for a groat , When the King had gotten these letters read , and found the truth was very so : I warrant thée thou hast not forfeit thy lease , if that thou hadst feld five ashes moe . I , every one can warrant me , but all your warrants are not worth a flée , For he that troubles me , and will not let me goe , neither cares for warrant of you nor me . The Lawyer he is sike a crafty else , a will make a foole of twenty such as we , And if that I said gang hang my sel , I se trow he and I sud néere agrée , For he 's too wise for all our Towne , and yet we ha got crauty knaves beside : He le undoe me and my wife , and Bearnes alas that ever I saw this tide . Thou 'st have an Iniunction , said our King , from troubling of thée he will cease : Hée 'le either shew thée a good cause why , or else hée 'le let thee live in peace . What 's that Iniunction sayes the poore man , good sir to me , I pray you say . Why it is a letter I le cause to be written , but art thou simple , as thou she well for to day . Why if 't be a letter I 'me néere the better , kéep't to your selfe and trouble not me : I could ha had a letter cheaper written at home , and néere a come out of mine owne Countrey , Thou 'st have an Attachment , sayd our King , charge all thou séest to take thy part , Till he pay thée an hundred pound , be sure thou never let him start . A way is me , the poore man said then , you ken no whit what you now doe say , A won undoe me a thousand times ; care he such a unckle of money will pay : And more then this , there 's no man at all , that dare anougst him for to lift a hand , For he has got so much guile in his budget , that he will make them all forfeite their Land . If any séeme against thée to stand , be sure thou come hither straight way , I marry , is that all I se get for my labour , then I may come trotting every day . Thou art hard a beléefe , then said our King , to please him with letters he was right willing , I sée you have taken great paines in writing , with all my heart I le give you a shilling . I le have none of thy shilling said our King , man with thy money , God give thée win . He throw it into the Kings bosome , the money lay cold next to his skin . Beshrew thy heart then sayd our King , then art a Carle something too bold , Dost thou not sée I am hot with bowling , the money next to my skin lies cold . I neere wist that before , said the poore man , before sicke time as I come hither , If the Lawyers in our Country thought t was cold , they would not heape up so much together . The King call'd up his Treasurer , and bad him fetch him twenty pound , If ever thy errant lye here away , I le beare thy charges up and downe . When the poore man saw the gold downe tendred ▪ for to receive it he was willing : If I had thought the King had had so mickle gold , beshrew my heart I de a kept my shilling . Now farewell good fellow quoth the King , sée that my commands you well doe kéepe , And when that the Lawyer you have in your hands , looke that he doe pay you before he doe sléepe , Gods benison light on your soule , then he sayd , and fend you and yours where ever you gang , If that I doe ever méete with your fewd foes , I se sweare with this staffe , that their hide I won bang , And farewell brave lads now unto you all , I wod all may win , and neane of you léesse , Haude , take this same tester héere amongst you own , I ken that you Courtiers doe all looke for sées : Thus with a low curtsie of them he tooke leave , thinking from the Court for to take his way : But some of the Gentlemen then of the Kings , would néeds invite him at dinner to stay . A little intreate did soone serve his turne , a thought himsel as good a man as them all , But where ( quoth he ) fall I have this same feast then straight way they ushered him into the hall , Such store of Chéere on the boord there was plast , that made the Countryman much for to muse . Quoth he , I doe thinke you are all crauty knaves , that such a service you will not refuse ; I ne're saw such slipperdeslapper before , here kéele I doe thinke is made of a whetstone , Méer's dousets and flappjacks , and I ken not what , I thinke in the world such feasts there is none . When he had well dind and filled his panch , then to the Wineceller they had him straight way , Where they with good Claret , & brave old Canary , they with a Foxe taile him soundly did pay ; So hard they did ply him with these strong wines , that he did wrong the long seames of his hose , That two men were fayne to leade him up stayres , so making indentures , away then he goes . The poore man got home next Sunday , the Lawyer soone him did espy : Oh sir , you have béene a stranger long , I thinke from me you have kept you by . It was for you indéed , sayd the poore man , the matter to the King , as I have tell , I did as neighbours put it in my head , and made a submission to 'th King my sell . What a Déel didst thou with the king , said the lawyer , could not neighbors and friends agrée thée and me ? The Déel a neighbor or friend that I had , that would a bin sicke a 〈…〉 , He has gin me a Letter , but I know not what they ca●… but if the Kings words be true to me , When you have read and perus'd it over , I hope you l leave and let me be . He has gin me another , but I know what t is , but I charge you all to hold him fast , Pray you that are learned this letter reade . which presently made them all agast . Then they did reade this letter plaine , the Lawyer must pay him a hundred pound , You sée the Kings letter the poore man did say , and unto a post he fall straight way be bound ; Then unto a post they tyde him fast , and all men did rate him in cruell sort , The Lads and the Lasses , and all in the towne , at him had great glée pastime and sport , I le pay it , I le pay it , the Lawyer said , the attachment I sée is good and fayre , Thou must néeds something credit me , till I goe home and fetch some meare . Credit , nay that 's it the King forbad , he bad if I got thée , I should thée stay . The Lawyer payd him an hundred pound , in ready money , ere he went away . Would every Lawyer were served thus , from troubling poore men they would cease , They'd either shew them a good cause why , or else they 'd let them live in peace . And thus I end my merry Tale , which shewes the plaine mans simplenesse , And the Kings great mercy in righting his wrongs , and the Lawyers fraud and wickednesse . FINIS . M. P.