I will, mistresse (quoth her man).

Now, when Master Eyer came to Guild-Hall, the Lord Maior and his brethren bade him heartily welcome, saying Sir, the communaltie of the city, hauing a good opinion of you, haue chosen you for one of our Sheriffes for this yeer, not doubting but to find you a fit man for the place.

My good Lord (quoth he) I humbly thank the city for their courtesie and kindnesse, and would to God my wealth were answereable to my good will, and my ability were able to bear it. But I find my selfe insufficient; I most humbly desire a yeers respite more, and pardon for this present.

At these words, a graue commoner of the city standing vp, with due reuerence spoke thus vnto the Major: my good Lord, this is but a slender excuse for Master Eyer to make; for I haue often heard him say, and so haue diuers others also, that he hath a table in his house whereon he breaks his fast euery day, that he will not giue for a thousand pounds: Wherefore (vnder your Lordships correction) in my simple iudgement, I think he that is able to spare a thousand pounds in such a dead commodity is very sufficient to be Sheriff of London.

See you now (quoth my Lord) I muse, Master Eyer, that you will haue so lame as to excuse before vs, as to take exceptions, at your own wealth, which is apparantly proued sufficient; you must know, Master Eyer, that the commons of London haue searching eyes, and seldome are they deceiued in their opinion, and, therefore looke what is done, you must stand to it.

I beseech you, my Lord (quoth Master Eyer) giue me leaue to speak one word. Let it be granted, that I will not giue my table whereon I breake my fast for a thousand pounds, that is no consequence to proue it is worth so much, my fancy to the thing is all: for doubtlesse no man here would giue me a thousand shillings for it when they see it.

All is one, for that (quoth my Lord Maior) yet dare I giue you as much wine as you will spend this yeer in your shriualtie to let me haue it.

My good Lord (quoth he) on that condition I will hold my place, and rest no longer troublesome to this company.

You must hold (said my Lord) without any condition or exceptions at all in this matter; and so they ended.

The assembly being then broken vp, the voice went Master Eyer is Sheriffe, Master Eyer is Sheriffe. Whereupon the fellow that Mistresse Eyer sent to obserue how things framed, ran home in all haste, and with leaping and reioycing said: Mistresse, God giue you ioy, for you are now a gentlewoman.

What (quoth she) tell me sir sawce, is thy master Sheriffe, or no? and doth he hold his place?

Yes mistresse, he holds it now as fast as the stirrop doth the shooes while we sow it.

Why then (quoth she) I haue my hearts desire, and that I so long looked for, and so away she went.

Within a while after came her husband, and with him one of the aldermen, and a couple of wealthy commoners, one of them was he that gaue such great commendations of his table, and comming to his doore, he said, You are welcome home good master Sheriffe.

Nay, I pray you, come in and drink with me before you go. Then said he, Wife bring me forth the pasty of venison, and set me here my little table, that these gentlemen may eat a bit with me before they go.

His wife which had been oft vsed to this terme, excused the matter, saying; The little table! Good Lord husband, I do wonder what you will do with the little table now, knowing that it is vsed already? I pray you good husband, content your selfe, and sit at this great table this once. Then she whispered him in the eare, saying; What man, shall we shame ourselues?