PREFACE. HE excessively rare, if not unique, old jest-book, reprinted in the fol lowing pages, is believed to be the only known copy of the old merriment, mentioned in Laneham's letter from Kenilworth, 1575,-" But aware, keep bak, make room now, heer they cum, & fyrst Captin Cox, an od man, I promiz yoo; by profession a mason, & that right skilfull, very cunning in fens, & hardy az Gawin, for hiz tonsword hangs at his tablz eend: great oversight hath he in matters of storie, for az for King |