and come home as you did go forth. Then tell Iohn the Frenchman, that the alderman was with the merchant this afternoon, you may send him to him in the morning, and bid him to command that his ship may be brought down the riuer: while she is coming about, you may giue notice to the linnen drapers, of the commodities you haue coming.

Enough wife (quoth he) thou hast said enough; and, by the grace of God, Ile follow thy counsell, and I doubt not but to haue good fortune.

HOW SIMON EYER WAS SENT FOR TO MY LORD MAIORS TO SUPPER, AND SHEWING THE GREAT ENTERTAINMENT HE AND HIS WIFE HAD THERE

Anon, after supper time drew neer, she, making herselfe ready in the best manner she could deuise, passed along with her husband vnto my Lord Maiors hovse: and being entred into the great hall, one of the officers there certified my Lord Maior, that the great, rich shoomaker and his wife were already come. Whereupon the Lord Maior in courteous manner came into the hall to Simon, saying, You are most heartily welcome good Master Eyer, and so is your gentle bed-fellow. Then came forth the Lady Maiores and saluted them both in like manner, saying, Welcome, good Master Eyer and Mistresse Eyer both: and taking her by the hand, set her down among the gentlewomen there present.

Sir (quoth the Lord Maior) I vnderstand you are a shoomaker, and that it is you that hath bought up²

I am indeed, my lord of the Gentle craft (quoth he) and I praise God, all the goods of the great Argozy are mine own, when my debts are paid.

God giue you much ioy of them (said the Lord Maior) and I trust you and I shall deal for some part thereof.

So the meat being then ready to be brought in, the guests were placed each one according to their calling. My Lord Maior holding Simon by the hand, and the Lady Maiores holding his wife, they would needs haue them sit neer to themselues, which they then with blushing cheeks refusing, my lord said vnto them, holding his cap in his hand.

Master Eyer and Mistresse Eyer, let me intreat you not to be troublesome, for I tell you it shall be thus: and as for those gentlemen here present, they are all of mine old acquaintance, and many times we haue been together, therefore I dare be the bolder with them: albeit you are our neighbours also, yet I promise you, you are strangers to my table, and to strangers common courtesie doth teach vs to shew the greatest fauour, and therefore let me rule you in mine house, and you shall rule me in yours.

When Simon found there was no remedy, they sat them down, but the poore woman was so abashed, that she did eat but little meat at the table, bearing her selfe at the table with a comely and modest countenance: but what she wanted in outward feeding, her heart yeelded to, with inward delight and content.

Now, so it was, many men that knew not Simon, and seeing him in so simple attire sit next my lord, whisperingly asked one another what he was. And it was enough for Simons wife, with her eyes and ears, to see and hearken after euerything that was said or done.

A graue, wealthy cittizen, sitting at the table, spake to Simon, and said, sir, in good will I drink to your good health, but I beseech you pardon me, for I know not how to call your name.

With that my Lord Maior answeared him, saying, his name is Master Eyer, and this is the gentleman that bought all the goods that came in the Black Swan of Candy, and, before God, though he sit here in simple sort, for his wealth I do verily beleeue he is more sufficient to bear this place than my selfe. This was a man that was neuer thought vpon, liuing obscure amongst vs, of none account in the eyes of the world, carrying the countenance but of a shoomaker, and none of the best sort neither, and is able to deal for a bargain of flue thousand pounds at a clap.