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.