Chapter IX A Witty Jest That Poor Robin Gave a Sergeant
The Blue Regiment of Train-Soldiers being on a time at Walden, one of the sergeants, to show his bravery, had gotten a great blue scarf about his middle, being as much or more than the ensign had in his colours. Poor Robin thinking him too fine to fight, would venture to put a jeer upon him, and calling him, asked if he wanted any work? “Why,” said the sergeant, “what makes you ask?” “Pray your pardon,” quoth poor Robin, “I was mistaken in you, I took you for a shoemaker, because you had gotten your blue apron before you.”