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