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 Bethink thee, if thou dost relapse into thine infidelity, though thou art not so tender as a sucking pig—I would I had one to break my fast upon—thou art not too tough to be roasted! Be conformable, Isaac, and repeat the words after me. Ave Maria!—"

"Nay, we will have no profanation, mad priest," said Locksley; "let us rather hear where you found this prisoner of thine."

"By Saint Dunstan," said the Friar, "I found him where I sought for better ware. I did step into the cellarage to see what might be rescued there; for though a cup of burnt wine, with spice, be an evening's draught for an Emperor, it were waste, methought, to let so much good liquor be mulled at once, and I had caught up one runlet of sack, and was coming to call more aid among these lazy knaves, who are ever to seek when a good deed is to be done, when I was advised of a strong door—Aha! thought I, here is the choicest juice of all in this secret crypt; and the knave butler, being disturbed in his vocation, hath left the key in the door—In therefore I went, and found just nought,