Thomas Deloney
(? 1543—1600)
HOW SIR SIMON EYER BEING AT FIRST A SHOOMAKER, BECAME IN THE END MAIOR OF LONDON, THROUGH THE COUNSELL OF HIS WIFE: AND HOW HE BROKE HIS FAST EVERY DAY ON A TABLE THAT HE SAID HE WOULD NOT SELL FOR A THOUSAND POUNDS: AND HOW HE BUILDED LEADON HALL
Our English chronicles do make mention that sometime there was in the honourable City of London a worthy maior, known by the name of Sir Simon Eyer, whose fame liueth in the mouths of many men to this day, who, albeit he descended from mean parentage, yet, by Gods blessing, in the end he came to be a most worthy man in the commonwealth.
This man, being brought young out of the north countrey, was bound prentise to a shoomaker, bearing then the name of the Gentle Craft (as still it doth) his master being a man of reasonable wealth, set many iourney-men and prentises to work, who followed their businesse with great delight, which quite excludeth all wearinesse; for when seruants do sit at their worke like dromedaries, then their minds are neuer lightly vpon their businesse; for it is an old prouerbe,
Such fellows had this young lad, who was not behind with many northern iigs to answer their southern songs. This youth being the youngest prentise in the house, as occasion serued, was often sent to the conduit for water, where in short time he fell acquainted with many other prentises coming thither for the same intent.
Now their custome was so, that euery Sunday morning diuers of these prentises did vse to go to a place neer the conduit to break their fast with pudding-pies, and often they would take Simon along with them; but vpon a time it so fell out, that when he should draw money to pay the shot with the rest, that he had none, whereupon he merrily said vnto them: My faithfull friends, and conduit companions, treasurers1 of the water tankard, and main pillers of the puddinghouse, I may now compare my purse to a barren doe, that yields the keeper no more good than an empty carkasse: or to a bad nut, which, being opened, hath neuer a kernell: therefore, if it will please you to pardon me at this time, and excuse me for my part of the shot, I do here vow vnto you, that, if euer I come to be Lord Maior of this city, I will giue a breakfast vnto all the printises in London.
We do take your word (quoth they) and so they departed.
It came to passe, that Simon hauing at length worn out his yeers of apprentiship, that he fell in loue with a maiden that was neer neighbour vnto him, vnto whom at length he was married and got him a shop, and labored hard daily, and his young wife was neuer idle, but straight when she had nothing to do, she sat in the shop and spun: and hauing liued thus alone a yeer or thereabout, and hauing gathered something together, at length he got him some printises, and a iourney-man or two, and he could not make his ware so fast as he could haue sold it, so that he stood in great need of a iourney-man or two more.
At the last, one of his seruants spying one go along the street with a fardell at his back, called to his master, saying, sir, yonder goes Saint Hughs bones, twenty pounds to a penney.
Run presently (quoth he) and bring him hither.
The boy running forth, called to the man, saying, Good fellow, come hither, here is one would speak with you.
The fellow, being a Frenchman that had not long been in England, turning about, said, Hea? what you sea? Will you speak wed me: Hea? What you haue? tell me, what you haue, Hea? And with that coming to the stall, the good-man askt him if he lackt work, We par ma foy (quoth the Frenchman).
Hereupon Simon took him in, and to worke he went merrily, where he behaued himselfe so well, that his master made good account of him, thinking he had been a bachelor, but in the end it was found otherwise.
This man was the first that wrought vpon the low cut shooe, with the square toe, and the latchet ouerthwart the instep, before which time in England they did weare a high shooe that reached aboue the ankles, right after the manner of our husbandmens shooes at this day, saue onely that it was made very sharp at the toe turning vp like the tail of an Island dog: or as you see a cock carry his hinder feathers.
Now it is to be remembred, that while Iohn Deneuale dwelt with Simon Eyer, it chanced that a ship of the Ile of Candy was driuen vpon our coast, laden with all kinds of lawns and cambricks and other linnen cloth: which commodities at that time were in London very scant, and exceeding dear: and by reason of a great leak the ship had got at sea, being vnable to sail any further, he would make what profit he could of his goods here.
And being come to London, it was Iohn Deneuales chance to meet him in the streets, to whom the merchant (in the Greek tongue) demanded where he might haue lodging: for he was one that had neuer been in England before, and being vnacquainted, wist not whither to go: but while he spake Greek, Iohn Deneuale answered him still in French, which tongue the merchant vnderstood well: and therefore, being glad that he had met with one that could talk to him, he declared vnto him what tempests he endured at sea, and also how his ship lay vpon the coast with such commodities as he would sell.
Truly sir (quoth Iohn) I am my selfe but a stranger in this country and vtterly vnacquainted with merchants, but I dwell with one in this city that is a very honest man, and it may be that he can help you to some that will deal with you for it, and if you think it good, I will moue him in it, and in the mean space, Ile bring you where you may haue a very good lodging; to-morrow morning I will come to you again.
Sir (said the merchant) if you please to do me that fauour, Ile not onely be thankfull vnto you for the same, but also in most honest sort will content you for your pains: and with that they departed.
Now as soon as Iohn the Frenchman came home, he moued that matter vnto his master, desiring him that he would do what he could for the merchant. When his master had heard each circumstance, noting therewith the want of such commodities in the land, cast in his mind as he stood cutting vp his work, what were best to be done in this case, saying to his man Iohn, I will think vpon it betwixt this and the morning, and then I will tell you my mind: and therewithall casting down his cutting knife, he went out of his shop into his chamber, and therein walked vp and down alone very sadly, ruminating hereon: he was so far in his muse, that, his wife sending for him to supper two or three times, he nothing regarded the maids call, hammering this matter in his head:
At last his wife came to him, saying, husband, what mean you that you do not come to supper? why speak you not man? Hear you? good husband; come away, your meat will be cold: but for all her words he stayed walking vp and down still, like a man that had sent his wits a woll-gathering, which his wife seeing, puled him by the sleeue, saying, why, husband in the name of God, why come you not? wil you not come to supper to night? I called you a good while ago.
Body of me, wife (said he) I promise thee I did not hear thee.
No faith, it seemeth so (quoth she) I maruel whereupon your mind runneth.
Beleeue me wife (quoth he) I was studying how to make my selfe Lord Maior and thee a lady.
Now God help you (quoth she) I pray God make vs able to pay euery man his own, that we may liue out of debt and danger, and driue the woolf from the doore, and I desire no more.
But wife (said he) I pray thee now tell me, doest thou not think that thou couldest make shift to bear the name of a lady, if it should be put vpon thee.
In truth husband (quoth she) Ile not dissemble with you, if your wealth were able to beare it, my mind would beare it well enough.
Well wife (replyed he) I tell thee now in sadnesse, that, if I had money, there is a commodity now to be bought, the gains wherof would be able to make me a gentleman foreuer.
Alas husband, that dignitie your trade allows you already, being a squire of the Gentle Craft, then how can you be lesse than a gentleman, seeing your sonne is a prince borne?
Tush, wife (quoth he) those titles do onely rest in name, but not in nature: but of that sort had I rather be, whose lands are answerable to their vertues, and whose rents can maintain the greatnesse of their minde.
Then sweet husband, tell me (said his wife) tell me, what commodity is that which you might get so much by? I am sure your self hath some money, and it shall go very hard but Ile procure friends to borrow one forty shillings, and beside that, rather then you should lose so good a bargain, I haue a couple of crowns that saw no sun since we were first married, and them also shall you haue.
Alasse wife (said Simon) all this comes not neere that matter: I confesse it would do some good in buying some backs of leather, but in this thing it is nothing, for this is merchandise that is precious at this time, and rare to be had; and I hear that whosoeuer will haue it must lay down three thousand pounds ready money. Yea wife, and yet thereby he might get three and three thousand pounds profit.
His wife hearing him say so was inflamed with the desire thereof, as women are (for the most part) very couetous: that matter running still in her mind, she could scant finde in her heart to spare him time to go to supper, for very eagernesse to animate him on, to take that bargain vpon him. Wherefore so soon as they had supt, and giuen God thanks, she called her husband, saying, I pray you come hither, I would speake a word with you: that man is not alwayes to be blamed that sometimes takes counsell of his wife; though womens wits are not able to comprehend the greatest things, yet in doubtful matters they oft help on a sudden.
Well wife, what mean you by this (said her husband)?
In truth (quoth she) I would haue you to pluck vp a means heart, and speedily chop vp a bargain for these goods you speak of.
Who I? (quoth he), which way should I do it, that am not able for three thousand pounds, to lay down three thousand pence?
Tush man (quoth she) what of that? euery man that beholds a man in the face, knows not what he hath in his purse, and whatsoeuer he be that owes the goods, he will no doubt be content to stay a moneth for his money, or three weeks at the least: And, I promise you, to pay a thousand pounds a week is a pretty round payment, and, I may say to you, not much to be misliked of.
Now husband, I would haue you in the morning with Iohn the Frenchman to the Grecian merchant, and with good discretion driue a sound bargain with him for the whole fraught of the ship, and thereupon giue him halfe a dozen angels in earnest, and eight and twenty dayes after the deliuery of the goods, condition to deliuer him the rest of his money.
But woman (quoth he) dost thou imagine that he would take my word for so weighty a masse of money, and to deliuer his goods vpon no better security?
Good Lord (quoth she) haue you no wit in such a case to make shift? Ile tell you what you shall do: Be not known that you bargain for your own selfe, but tell him that you do it in the behalf of one of the chief aldermen in the city; but beware in any case, that you leaue with him your own name in writing; he being a Grecian cannot read English: and you haue no need at all to shew Iohn the Frenchman, nor if you should, it were no great matter, for you can tell well enough that he can neither write nor read.
I perceiue wife (quoth he) thou wouldest fain be a lady, and worthy thou art to be one, that dost thus imploy thy wits to bring thy husband profit: but tell me, if he should be desirous to see the alderman to confer with him, how shall we do then?
Iesus haue mercy vpon vs (quoth she) you say women are fools, but me seemeth men haue need to be taught sometimes. Before you come away in the morning. let Iohn the Frenchman tell him that the alderman himselfe shall come to his lodging in the afternoon: and, receiuing a note of all the goods that be in the ship, he shall deliuer vnto him a bill of his hand for the payment of his money, according to that time. Now sweetheart (quoth she) this alderman shall be thine own selfe, and Ile go borrow for thee all things that shall be necessary against that time.
Tush (quoth her husband) canst thou imagine that he, seeing me in the morning, will not know me again in the afternoon?
O husband (quoth she) he will not know thee, I warrant thee: for in the morning thou shalt go to him in thy doublet of sheeps skins, with a smuched face, and thy apron before thee, thy thumb-leather and hand-leather buckled close to they wrist, with a foule band about thy neck, and a greasie cap on thy head.
Why woman (quoth he) to go in this sort will be a discredit to me, and make the merchant doubtfull of my dealing: for men of simple attire are (God wot) slenderly esteemed.
Hold your peace good husband (quoth she) it shall not be so with you, for Iohn the Frenchman shall giue such good report to the merchant for your honest dealing (as I praise God he can do no lesse) that the Grecian will rather conceiue the better of you than otherwise: iudging you a prudent discreet man, that will not make a shew of that you are not, but go in your attire agreeable to your trade. And because none of our folks shall be priuy to our intent, to-morrow weel dine at my cousin Iohn Barbers in Saint Clements Lane, which is not far from the George in Lumbard Street, where the merchant strangers lie. Now Ile be sure that all things shall be ready at my cousin Iohns that you shall put on in the afternoon. And there he shall first of all with his scissers snap off all the superfluous hairs, and fashion thy bushy beard after the aldermans graue cut: then shall he wash thee with a sweet camphire ball, and besprinkle thine head and face with the purest rose-water; then shalt thou scoure thy pitchy fingers in a bason of hot water, with an ordinary washing ball; and all this being done, strip thee from these common weeds, and Ile put thee on a very fair doublet of tawny sattin, ouer the which thou shalt haue a cassock of branched damask, furred round about the skirts with the finest foynes, thy breeches of black veluet, and shooes and stockings fit for such array: a band about thy neck as white as the driuen snow, and for thy wrists a pretty pair of cuffs, and on thy head a cap of the finest black, then shalt thou put on a fair gown, welted about with veluet, and ouerthwart the back thwart it shall be with rich foyne, with a pair of sweet gloues on thy hands, and on thy forefinger a great seale-ring of gold.
Thou being thus attired, Ile intreat my cousin Iohn Barber, because he is a very handsome young man, neat and fine in his apparell (as indeed all barbers are) that he would take the pains to wait vpon you vnto the merchants, as if he were your man, which he will do at the first, because one of you cannot vnderstand the other, so that it will be sufficient with outward curtesie one to greet another, and he to deliuer vnto you his notes, and you to giue him your bill, and so come home.
It doth my heart good, to see how trimly this apparell doth become you, in good faith, husband, me seems in my mind, I see you in it already, and how like an alderman you will look, when you are in this costly array. At your return from the merchant, you shall put off all these clothes at my cousins again, 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 all the goods of the great Argozy.
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.
We do want many such shoomakers (said the citizen) and so with other discourse droue out supper.
At what time, rising from the table, Simon and his wife, receiuing sundrie salutations of my Lord Maior and his lady, and of all the rest of the worshipfull guests, departed home to their own house: at what time his wife made such a recitall of the matters; how brauely they were entertained, what great chear was there, also what a great company of gentlemen and gentlewomen were there, and how often they drank to her husband and to her, with diuers other circumstances, that I beleeue, if the night had been six moneths long, as it is vnder the north pole, they would haue found talke enough till morning.
Of a truth (quoth she) although I sate closely by my ladies side, I could eat nothing for very joy, to heare and see that we were so much made of. And neuer giue me credit husband, if I did not hear the officers whisper as they stood behind me, and all demanded one of another, what you were, and what I was: O (quoth one) do you see this man? mark him well, and marke his wife well, that simple woman that sits next my ladie what are they? What are they (quoth another)? Marry this is the rich shoomaker that bought all the goods in the great Argozy: I tell you there was neuer such a shoomaker seen in London since the city was builded. Now by my faith (quoth the third) I haue heard much of him to-day among the merchants in the street, going between the two chains: Credit me husband, of mine honesty this was their communication. Nay, and do you not remember, when the rich citizen drank to you (which craued pardon because he knew not your name) what my Lord Maior said? Sir (quoth he) his name is Master Eyer, did you mark that? and presently thereupon he added these words: this is the gentleman that bought, and so forth. The gentleman vnderstood you, did you heare him speake that word?
In troth wife (quoth he) my lord vttered many good words of me, I thank his honour, but I heard not that.
No (quoth she). I heard it well enough: for by and by he proceeded further, saying, I suppose though he sit here in simple sort, he is more sufficient to beare this charge than my selfe. Yea (thought I) he may thank his wife for that, if it come so to passe.
Nay (said Simon) I thank God for it.
Yea, and next him you may thank me (quoth she3). And it did her so much good to talk of it, that I suppose, if she had liued till this day, she would yet be prating thereof, and if sleep did not driue her from it.
And now seeing that Simon the shoomaker is become a merchant, we will temper our tongues to giue him that title, which his customers were wont to do, and from henceforth call him master Eyer, who, while he had his affairs in hand, committed the gouernment of his shop to Iohn the Frenchman, leauing him to be guide to his other seruants, by meanes of which fauour Iohn thought himselfe at that time to be a man of no small reputation.
HOW MASTER EYER WAS CALLED VPON TO BE SHERIFFE OF LONDON, AND HOW HE HELD HIS PLACE WITH WORSHIP
In this space Master Eyer following his businesse, had sold so much of his merchandize as paid the Grecian his whole money: and yet had resting to himselfe three times as much as he had sold, whereof he trusted some to one alderman, and some to another, and a great deal amongst substantiall merchants; and for some had much ready money, which he imployed in diuers merchandizes: and became aduenturer at Sea, hauing (by Gods blessing) many a prosperous voiage, whereby his riches dailie increased.
It chanced vpon a time, that being in his study, casting vp his accounts, he found himselfe to be clearely worth twelue or thirteen thousand pounds, which he finding to be so, he called his wife to him, and said:
The last day I did cast vp my accounts, and I finde that Almighty God of his goodnesse hath lent me thirteen thousand pounds to maintain vs in our old age, for which his gracious goodnesse towards vs, let vs with our whole hearts giue his glorious Maiesty eternall praise, and therewithall pray vnto him, that we may so dispose thereof, as may be to his honour, and the comfort of his poore members on earth, and aboue our neighbours may not be puffed vp with pride, that, while we think on our wealth, we forget God that sent it to vs, for it hath been an old saying of a wise man, that abundance groweth from riches, and disdain out of abundance: of which God giue vs grace to take heed, and grant vs a contented mind.
So soon as he had spoken this, they heard one knocking hastily at doore, whereupon he sent Florence to see who it was, the maiden, coming again, told her master it was one of my Lord Maiors officers that would speake with him. The officer being permitted to come in, after due reuerence, he said, Sir, it hath pleased my Lord Maior with the worshipfull aldermen his brethren, with the counsell of the whole communaltie of the honourable city, to chuse your worship Sheriffe of London this day, and haue sent me to desire you to come and certifie your minde therein, whether you be contented to hold the place or no.
Master Eyer hearing this, answered he would come to his honor and their worships incontinent, and resolue them what he was minded to do; and so the officer departed.
His wife, which all this while listned to their talk, hearing how the case stood, with a ioyfull countenance meeting her husband, taking him about the neck with a louing kisse, said, Master Sheriffe, God giue thee ioy of thy name and place!
O wife (quoth he) my person is far vnworthy of that place, and the name far exceeds my degree.
What, content your selfe, good husband (quoth she) and disable not your selfe in such sort, but be thankfull vnto God for that you haue, and do not spurn at such promotion as God sendeth vnto you: the Lord be praised for it, you haue enough to discharge the place whereunto you are called with credit: and wherefore sendeth God goods, but therewithall to do him and your countrey seruice?
Woman (quoth he) Soft fire makes sweet mault: For such as take things in hand rashly, repent as suddenly: to be Sheriffe of London is no little cost. Consider first (quoth he) what house I ought to haue, and what costly ornaments belong thereunto, as: hanging of tapistry cloth of Arras, and other such like, what store of plate and goblets of gold, what costly attire, and what a chargeable train, and that which is most of all, how greatly I stand charged beside, to our Soueraigne
Lord, the King, for the answering of such prisoners as shall be committed to my custody, with an hundred matters of such importance, which are to such an office belonging.
Good Lord husband (quoth she) what need all these repetitions? You need not tell me it is a matter of great charge: notwithstanding, I verily think many heretofore haue with great credit discharged the place, whose wealth hath not in any sort been answerable to your riches, and whose wits haue been as mean as your own: truly sir shall I be plain? I know not anything that is to be spoken of, that you want to performe it, but only your good will: and to lack good will to do your king and countrey good were a signe of an vnworthy subiect, which I hope you will neuer be.
Well wife (said her husband) thou dost hold me here with prittle prattle, while the time passeth on, tis high time I were gone to Guild-Hall, I doubt I shall appear too vnmannerly in causing my Lord Maior and the rest to stay my leisure.
And he hauing made himselfe ready, meet to go before such an assembly as he went vnto, he went out of doores, at what time his wife called after him, saying: and holding vp her finger, Husband, remember, you know what I haue said: take heed you dissemble not with God and the world, look to it husband.
Go too, go too, get you in (quoth he) about your businesse, and so away he went.
So soon as he was gone out of sight, his wife sent one of his men after him to Guild-Hall, to hearken and hear, whether her husband held his place or no: and if he do, bring me word with all possible speed.
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?
What shame? (quoth he) tell not me of shame, but do thou as thou art bidden; for we are three or foure of vs, then what do we troubling the great table?
Truly (answered she) the little table is not ready now good husband, let it alone.
Trust me we are troublesome guests (said the alderman), but yet we would fain see your little table, because it is said to be of such prize.
Yea, and it is my mind you shall (quoth Master Eyer), therefore he called his wife again, saying, good wife, dispatch and prepare the little table: for these gentlemen would fain haue a view of it.
Whereupon his wife, seeing him so earnest, according to her wonted manner, came in: and setting her selfe down on a low stool, laid a fair napkin ouer her knees, and set the platter with the pasty of venison thereupon, and presently a chear was brought for master alderman, and a couple of stools for the two commoners, which they beholding, with a sudden and hearty laughter, said: Why Master Sheriffe, is this the table you held so deare?
Yes truly (quoth he).
Now verily (quoth they), you herein haue vtterly deceiued our expectation.
Euen so did you mine (quoth he) in making me Sheriffe: but you are all right welcome, and I will tell you true, had I not thought wondrous well of you, you had not seen my table now. And I think, did my Lord Maior see it as you do, he would repent his bargain so hastily made. Notwithstanding I account of my table neuer the worse.
Nor haue you any cause (quoth they) and so after much pleasant talk, they departed, spreading the fame of Master Sheriffes little table over the whole city.
But you must now imagine, that a thousand cares combred the Sheriffe, in prouiding all things necessary for his office: at what time he put off his shoomakers shop to one of his men, and set vp at the same time the signe of the black swan swiming vpon the sea, in remembrance of that ship, that first did bring him his wealth, and before that time, the sign of the black swan was neuer seen or known in any place in or about the city of London.
HOW MASTER ALDERMAN EYER WAS CHOSEN LORD MAIOR OF LONDON, AND HOW HE FEASTED ALL THE PRENTISES ON SHROUE TUESDAY
Within a few yeers after, Alderman Eyer being chosen Lord Maior of London, changing his company, he became one of the worshipfull Company of Drapers, and for this yeer he kept a most bountifull house. At this time it came into his mind what a promise once he made to the prentises, being at breakfast with them at their going to the conduit, speaking to his lady in this wise: Good Lord (quoth he) what a change haue we had within these thirty yeers? And how greatly hath the Lord blessed vs since that? blessed be his Name for it.
I do remember, when I was a young prentise what a match I made vpon a Shroue Tuesday morning, being at the conduit, among other of my companions; trust me wife (quoth he) tis worth the hearing, and Ile tell thee how it fell out.
After we had filled our tankards with water, there was some would needs haue me set down my tankard, and go with them to breakfast (as many times before I had done) to which I consented: and it was a breakfast of pudding-pies. I shall neuer forget it. But to make short, when the shot came to be paid, each one drew out his money but I had not one peny in my purse, and credit I had none in the place; which when I beheld being abashed, I said; Well my masters, do you giue me my breakfast this time; and in requitall thereof, if euer I be Maior of London, Ile bestow a breakfast one all the prentises of the city: these were the words, little thinking, (God wot) that euer it should come to passe: but such was the great goodnesse of our God, who setteth vp the humble, and pulleth down the proud, to bring whom he pleaseth to the seat of honour. For as the scripture witnesseth, promotion cometh neither from the east nor from the west, but from him that is the giuer of all good things, the mighty Lord of heauen and earth. Wherefore wife, seeing God hath bestowed that vpon me that I neuer looked for; it is reason that I should perform my promise: and being able now, Ile pay that which then I was not able to do: for I would not haue men say that I am like the Ebontree, that neither beares leafes nor fruit. Wherefore wife, seemg that Shroue Tuesday is so neer at hand, I will vpon that day fulfill my promise, which vpon that day I made.
Truly (my lord) (quoth she) I will be right willing thereunto. Then answered my lord, as thou dost loue me, let them want neither pudding-pies nor pancakes, and look what other good chear is to be had, I will referre all to your discretion.
Hereupon great prouision was made for the prentises breakfast: and Shroue Tuesday being come, the Lord Maior send word to the aldermen, that in their seuerall wards they should signifie his mind to the citizens, to craue their fauours that their prentises might come to his house to breakfast, and that for his sake they might play all the day after. Hereupon it was ordered that at the ringing of a bell in euery parish, the prentises should leaue work and shut vp their shops for that day, which being euer since yeerly obserued, it is called the Pancake Bell.
The prentises being all assembled, my Lord Maiors house was not able to hold them, they were such a multitude, so that besides the great hall, all the gardens were set with tables, and in the backside tables were set, and euery other spare place was also furnish’d: so that at length they were al placed and while meat was bringing in, to delight their eares, as well as to feed their bodies, and to drown the noise of their pratlings, drums and trumpets were pleasantly sounded: that being ended, the waits of the city, with diuers other sorts of musick played also to beguile the time, and to put off all discontent.
After the first seruice, were all the tables plentifully furnished with pudding-pies and pancakes, in very plentifull manner; and the rest that remained was giuen to the poore. Wine and ale in very great measure they had giuen, insomuch that they had no lack, nor excesse to cause them to be disordered. And in the midst of this their merriment the Lord Maior, in his scarlet gown, and his lady in like manner went in amongst them; bidding them all most heartily welcome, saying vnto them, that his promise so long ago made, he hath at length performed. At what time they (in token of thankfulnesse) flung vp their caps, giuing a great shout, and incontinently they all quietly departed.
Then after this, Sir Simon Eyer builded Leaden Hall, appointing that in the midst thereof, there should be a market place kept euery Munday for leather, where the shoomakers of London, for their more ease, might buy of the tanners without seeking any further.
And in the end, this worthy man ended his life in London with great honour.
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1 treasurers, 1675, etc.: treasures, 1648.
2 bought up, 1675, etc.: brought up, 1648.