Page:The Sundering Flood - Morris - 1898.djvu/125

 tell it, but would rather have prayed you to drink a cup or two; but so it is that we be eager to hear your tale, whereas we see that ye are of our friends of East Cheaping. Then the Knight began, and told them of their quarrel from point to point, and the right they deemed they had therein. And from time to time Osberne put in a question when he would have the matter made clearer to him, and the Knight deemed his questions handy and wise; and at last he said: Now so it is, neighbours, that we ask help of you; and the help we need is not so much of money or beasts or weapons as of the bodies and souls of stark and stout-hearted men. What say ye, who be here, have ye will to ward your cheaping, and the place where we have done good to each other, or will ye let all go down the wind as for you?

Fair sir, said Osberne, we will first ask you one question: Ye bid us to ride to battle with you in your quarrel; but do ye bid and command us this service as of right, or do ye crave our help as neighbours, and because there is love and dealings betwixt us? And this I ask because we dalesmen deem that we be free men, owning no service to any lord, or earl, or king.

Said the Knight: We claim no service of you of right or by custom, but crave your help as bold and free neighbours who for love's sake may be fain of helping friends in need.

Spake Osberne: Then there is no more to be said but this, that there is one who will ride with you, and that is my own self. And though I be