A Bosun, A Cook and A Doxy (illustrated by Max Rugers)

In The Tempest, the final issue of Sandman, William Shakespeare goes to The House Of Barley And Grape and while talking to Mistress Quiney three people enter the pub, carrying a large wrapped object that smells like fish.

One of the men introduces himself as a Bosun (a ship’s officer in charge of equipment and crew) and his companions, a Cook and a Doxy (a prostitute). They ask for wine.

They tell the group gathered in the pub that for a shilling they will unwrap the object and they will see the “sad corpse of an indian from the distant burmudas.” A few people offer their money and they unwrap the body to reveal the body.

Later that night, after Shakespeare has returned home, he hears the Bosun and Cook, having drunk too much wine, singing in the rain as they wander past his house. The Doxy was not with her companions.

They appear in Sandman # 75 on pages 8-10.