354 HISTORY OF KING HENRY VII. 



new person of a sycophant, or juggler, instead of his 

 former person of a prince, all men may think how he 

 was exposed to the derision not only of the courtiers, 

 but also of the common people, who flocked about 

 him as he went along : that one might know afar off 

 where the owl was by the flight of birds ; some mock 

 ing, some wondering, some cursing, some prying and 

 picking matter out of his countenance and gesture 

 to talk of: so that the false honour and respects 

 which he had so long enjoyed, was plentifully repaid 

 in scorn and contempt. As soon as he was come to 

 London, the king gave also the city the solace of this 

 May-game ; for he was conveyed leisurely on horse 

 back, but not in any ignominious fashion, through 

 Cheapside and Cornhill, to the Tower, and from 

 thence back again to Westminster, with the churm 

 of a thousand taunts and reproaches. But to amend 

 the show, there followed a little distance off Perkin, 

 an inward counsellor of his, one that had been ser- 

 jeant farrier to the king. This fellow, when Perkin 

 took sanctuary, chose rather to take an holy habit 

 than an holy place, and clad himself like an hermit, 

 and in that weed wandered about the country, till he 

 was discovered and taken. But this man was bound 

 hand and foot upon the horse, and came not back 

 with Perkin, but was left at the Tower, and within 

 few days after executed. Soon after, now that Per 

 kin could tell better what himself was, he was dili 

 gently examined ; and after his confession taken, an 

 extract was made of such parts of them as were 

 thought fit to be divulged, which was printed and 



